June 23 -25, 2016  ~  Wolf Creek State Park

Men’s clothing: 

Men’s shirts worn loose. Plain colors were common, but stripes or plaids were also used. Light colors will be coolest. Choose something larger than a regular fit, with long sleeves. 

Pants were also worn loose. Wool or linen were used. Corduroy, twill and canvas pants are good choices. Trekker in our day find that wool is too hot, cottons work great. Colors include blue, black, gray, browns, especially beige and tan. Choose rather loose fitting through the crotch and thigh area to add comfort In walking. 

Suspenders; Men’s pants were held up by suspenders that were buttoned on the outside of the waistband, and crossed in the back. 

Hats: Men’s everyday hats ranged from pilot caps, straw hats, wide brimmed low felt hats, or round crowned hat. No ball caps allowed. (Modern cowboy hats had not been  invented until later times!) 

Ties; Usually vests/ties were worn only on Sunday or when attending a meeting or social event. Ties were small, black and silky. Wrapped around the neck one and tied in the front with a square knot. 

 

Women’s clothing: 

Dresses: Women’s basic dresses were floor length. It could be plain or have many ruffles. The sleeves were full, and long, with buttons or bands at the writs. Necklines were usually high, with buttons up the front. Fabrics were cotton in solid colors or small print. Bright colors were popular (especially bright yellow) Blouses and long skirts or jumpers could be used. Pioneer trekkers now have found that dresses 

and skirts should be above top of a hiking boot in length (so the girls do not trip over their skirts while pulling). 

Aprons; The standard apron was six to twelve inches shorter than the skirt length. It gathered at the waist and tied. The bib attached at the waist and was pinned to the dress bodice at the top two corners. Hence, the name pinafore (Pinned at two of the four corners). Daytime aprons were made of calico remnants. Sunday aprons were made from white fabric and did not have a bib. For trekking today, large deep pockets are important to be able to carry different items along the trial. 

Bonnets; Women wore bonnets whenever they were outside. They were made of cotton with a deep stiffened brim and back ruffle to protect the neck. They could be white, plain colors or a print, but they seldom matched the fabric of the dress. Today, bonnets or straw hats for the girls are important, they need to have something they will wear to protect them from the sun. Creating and sewing costumes for the trek can be a lot of fun. One thing to keep in mind is that the costumes should not be a burden mentally or financially to make. Our pioneer ancestors were thrifty people, we should try to emulate that as we work on costumes. 

 

Commercial patterns that can be used. 

McCall 7720 Misses Pioneer Costumes

McCall 7730 Misses Costumes; the colonial dress would be appropriate for the era, not the 

Simplicity 3723 Pioneer Costume

Burda has many historically correct patterns. There patterns require a lot of time and effort to make.

 

No-sew bonnet and how to reconstruct a man's shirt into a pioneer woman's blouse.  

http://trekexpectations.blogspot.com/2012_04_01_archive.html

 

Pioneer Sun Bonnets: http://howtodresslikeapioneer.blogspot.com/2010/01/bonnet-tutorial.html 

 

Easy Skirt from a thrift store sheet:  http://showtellshare.blogspot.com/2012/04/how-to-make-easy-pioneer-trek-skirt.html

 

Peasant style dress: http://janelwashere.com/crafts/peasant_pattern.html

 

Skirt: http://howtodresslikeapioneer.blogspot.com/2010/06/not-so-pioneer-skirt-tutorial.html

 

Apron, for girls this is a great accessory for trek, Put as many pockets as you feel are necessary!;  

http://howtodresslikeapioneer.blogspot.com/2010/06/pioneer-apron-tips.html

 

Newsboy hat, very appropriate for the times, (pattern must be enlarged: http://whitneysews.blogspot.com/2011/03/newsboy-hat-pattern.html

 

For a men's shirt, an old shirt or a thrift store shirt can be use, just carefully remove the collar with scissors. The woman's shirt example here will give you an idea: http://trekexpectations.blogspot.com/2012_04_01_archive.html

                                

Questions contact:

Caroline Embleton                                                                                                                                                              

Decatur 2nd ward.                                                                                                                                                       

Springfield Stake Youth Trek Clothing Specialist                                                                                                                   

217.423.4508                                                                                                                                               

csembleton1@gmail.com

 

 

Handcart Trek Clothing Descriptions