PIONEER CLOTHING FOR TREK

W I L L H A V E P I O N E E R G A R B

THE COOL TREKKERS:

TREK TO ZION!

Dressing in pioneer clothing can have a tremendous

impact on the spirit of the trek.

The trek leaders and youth leaders expect that

everyone will dress in pioneer-style clothing to get

everyone into 1800’s mode.

• Each Ward will have a Clothing Specialist called to

help all their youth get the clothing needed for

comfort and 1847 style!

• Ward and Stake Clothing Specialists can help find

the clothes needed for the trek.

• For frugal clothing choices, youth and parents

should plan ahead

GOALS FOR TREK CLOTHING:

• Pioneer-style clothing is important to give trek an

authentic feel

• But must be practical for a real hike (trekking is

hiking, too)

• It must be sturdy enough to make the trip

• Economical

• Modest and comfortable

• Not too hot

• Hats should give sun protection

• Pockets and satchel/bag for stowing goods

PIONEER DUDS:

The following are short descriptions of typical pioneer

garb.

MEN’S CLOTHING:

• MEN’S SHIRTS: Choose something a little larger than

a regular fit, with long sleeves.

• Plain colors were common, but stripes or plaids

were also used. Light colors will be coolest.

• Generally shirts had a narrow collar band rather

than a modern collar. This look can be achieved

with a thrift-store shirt, with the collar removed.

MEN’S SHIRTS:

How to make an 1800’s shirt: cut off the collar from a thrift store shirt, just above the band, trying not to cut into the band. To remove the

loose threads, run your nail along the cut edge, trim again.

MEN’S SLACKS:

• MEN’S PANTS were generally slacks. Linen, twill and canvas slacks are good choices.

• Authentic colors include blue, black, gray, browns, especially beige and tan.

• Choose loose-fitting through the crotch and thigh area for walking comfort. “Skinny” style slacks will be uncomfortable on a hike.

• Thrift-store or second-hand slacks are an inexpensive option.

• Jeans are too hot and sweaty, and are not a good choice

MEN’S CLOTHING:

SUSPENDERS:

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

These could be made of wide ribbon and buttoned or pinned to the slacks

MEN’S CLOTHING:

• HATS: A wide-brimmed straw hat is the most comfortable and gives the best sun protection.

• A hat with a string or tie is best, because it will stay on when the wind blows

• Other authentic hats include pilot caps, wide- brimmed low felt hats, or round-crowned hats, but these will be hot in the summer, and offer less sun protection.

• No baseball caps allowed on the trek.

• TIES: Usually vests or ties were worn only on Sunday or for a social event. Ties were small, black and silky, tied in the front with a square knot.

WOMEN’S CLOTHING:

• DRESSES: Women’s basic dresses were long, and could be plain or have ruffles and detail.

• The sleeves may be full or narrow, and long, perhaps with buttons or bands at the wrists.

•

• Necklines were usually high, with buttons up the front.

• Fabrics were cotton in solid colors or small print. Bright colors were popular but use colors and fabrics that are available.

• Blouses with long skirts or jumpers could be used.

WOMEN’S DRESS LENGTH:

• Pioneer trekkers have found that dresses and skirts

should be mid-calf or above the top of hiking boot

in length (to avoid tripping over skirts while pulling).

• Longer skirts are not as safe.

WOMEN’S CLOTHING:

THRIFT STORE OPTIONS:

• Blouses and skirts will generally be available, but

complete pioneer-style dresses will not usually be

found

• Some can be used together, as you find them, for a

good pioneer outfit

WOMEN’S CLOTHING-- THRIFT STORE IDEAS:

• Buy a dress a few sizes too big at a thrift store

• Look for what it can be, instead of what it is

• This dress can be a skirt without a lot of work

• It has a hem and buttons already, so not much work is needed

WOMEN’S CLOTHING:

• Cut off the skirt and fold over the top to form a

casing

• Sew along the edge of the

casing and add elastic or a cord to tie

This loose dress with a gathered skirt makes a good skirt. Cut 3-4 inches above the gathers, and make a casing of the flat part. Run a strip of grosgrain ribbon

in the casing and pull to fit the waist. It even had pockets!

Before Skirt top with ribbon in casing, held with a safety pin to try on.

WOMEN’S CLOTHING: APRONS

APRONS

• Aprons are a practical and historical part of the trek outfit. The standard apron was six to twelve inches shorter than the skirt length, gathered at the waist and was tied in back.

• A bib might be attached at the waist and was pinned to the dress bodice at the top two corners. This was called a pinafore (because it was pinned at two of the four corners).

WOMEN’S CLOTHING:

APRONS

• Weekday aprons were made of calico remnants,

and Sunday aprons were white fabric without a

bib. A print would hide some dirt.

• For trekking today, large deep pockets with a

button closure are important to be able to carry

important items along the trail.

WOMEN’S CLOTHING:

• Here's a free apron pattern:

http://handcart-trek.org/patterns/Aprons.pdf

WOMEN’S CLOTHING:

• Here’s an example of an easy way to make an

apron from a thrift-store item

Thrift store nightgown

becomes apron:

• This item already had gathers at the top band

• The back was cut off, and then the sides machine hemmed

• The ties were made from cutting off the hem, then attaching to the top band

WOMEN’S CLOTHING:

• Here’s a dress that could be made into two

aprons without a lot of work

The gathers and pleats at the waist are skimpy for a skirt, without more work, but will be two great aprons. One from the front and one from the back. Both use the existing pleats. The scraps made a nice pocket, and the plaid ties were

from a thrift store sheet.

WOMEN’S CLOTHING--PANTALOONS

• Pioneer women wore pantaloons under their dresses.

They’re between knee and mid-calf length and were

normally white.

• Wearing pantaloons helps maintain modesty in trekking

situations.

• Here are the options:

• knee-length bike shorts in any color

• scrubs or light-weight pajama pants hemmed to knee length

• Not jean shorts: don’t use them for trek—they don’t breathe,

and are way too hot under a skirt

• Here's a

pattern: http://handcarttrek.org/patterns/Petticoats.pdf

THESE TWO SITES HAVE GREAT REFERENCES AND PHOTOS

• Howtodresslike apioneer.blogspot.com

• http://www.pinterest.com/audreyhanks/pioneer-

trek-ideas/

SHOES AND SOCKS

SHOES:

• For both women and men, shoes need not be

“period” style.

• Comfort is most important. Hiking boots are ideal.

• New hiking boots can cause injury, so should be

broken in for at least two months

• Two pair of boots is best, so if one pair is wet or

causes blisters, the backup can be worn.

SHOES AND SOCKS

SOCKS:

• Each trekker should pack a pair of clean socks for

each day of trek.

• If your feet aren’t having fun, you won’t be having

fun.

HATS FOR MEN AND WOMEN:

• HATS: A wide-brimmed straw hat is the most

comfortable and gives the best sun protection.

• A hat with a string or ribbon is best, because it will

stay on when the wind blows

• Women’s bonnets were found to be too hot and

give little sun protection in past treks

HAVERSACK OR SATCHEL

THIS CROSS-BODY BAG WILL BE USED BY BOTH YOUNG MEN

AND YOUNG WOMEN TO

CARRY NECESSARY ITEMS ON

THE TREK

HERE’S A PATTERN:

http://howtodresslikeapioneer.blogspot.

com/2010/05/haversack-tutorial.html

A STRONG FABRIC SHOULD BE USED SO IT

WILL LAST THE TREK.

WHAT NOT TO WEAR

WHAT NOT TO WEAR:

Blue jeans, baseball caps, tank tops, t shirts,

tight/short dresses, brand new shoes

WHERE TO FIND CLOTHING:

SOME CLOTHING SOURCES:

• 2nd hand stores

• Borrowed clothing

• A Stake Trek Clothing Specialist can be a resource to the ward trek specialist

• Ask if your ward or stake will have a sewing workshop to help parents and youth with clothing

• Bedsheets from the closet or a thrift store are an inexpensive source of fabric

CLOTHING PATTERNS

• Authentic patterns can be obtained from

www.patterns.com/1830.html also look under 1840-

1850’s .

• CLOTHING PATTERNS Simplicity: www.simplicity.com Women’s Simplicity Patterns – 5041 & 5375 Men’s Simplicity Patterns – 5023 & 5035 Butterick: www.butterick.com Women’s Butterick Patterns – 4570 & 3992 Men’s Butterick Pattern – 3896 McCall’s: www.mccallpattern.com Women’s McCall Patterns – 3669 & 4548 The Historical Pattern Company: www.pastpatterns.com/1830.html Various men’s and women’s patterns are shown on this website.

• For custom high quality authentic pioneer clothes, visit: http://www.calicoannie.net Very extensive selection. The older ladies behind that site (there are 4 little elderly ladies who sew the clothes) are very nice, very good at what they do, efficient, and skilled, but brace yourself for steep pricing!

TIE ON YOUR HAT—

WE’RE GOIN’ TO ZION!