How to Dress Like a Mormon Pioneer
Pioneer life required courage and stamina. Survival depended on many things, including appropriate clothing. Pioneer attire reflected the fashions of the era, but also had to withstand the hardships of constant exposure to the elements. Blizzards, rainstorms and prairie fires were taken in stride along with the daily chores and the never-ending trek across unknown territory. Mormon pioneers were members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who began migrating from the Midwest across the United States in 1846, eventually settling in what is now known as the Salt Lake Valley in Utah.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Chemise
- Corset
- Petticoat
- Drawers
- Fitted Dress
- Apron
- Shawl
- Sunbonnet
- Stockings
- Leather boots or shoes
- Undershirt
- Shirt
- Trousers
- Suspenders
- Vest
- Coat
- Socks
- Leather boots
- Cap
Instructions
-
Women
-
1
Gather together undergarments to slip on under the outer layers of clothing. These include a loose fitting, wide necked e piece of clothing that's like a slip, referred to as a chemise. Include a corset, one or two petticoats and a pair of full-cut drawers made from white cotton to keep your legs from chafing when walking.
-
2
Put on a one-piece dress with a fitted or semi-fitted bodice with attached full skirts, made from fabric with small prints, checks or plaids. The dress should fasten down the front center of the chest with hooks or buttons and should have a neckline that ends at the base of your neck. Sleeves are long, but can be either narrow or full.
-
-
3
Put a long cotton apron over your the dress skirt, leaving a quarter of the skirt length showing at the bottom. The apron fabric print can be different from the print of the dress fabric and should tie in the back of the body.
-
4
Drape a shawl over your shoulders. A simple 60-inch square of printed or plain cloth folded in a triangle is appropriate. Hemming is not necessary; just leave the fringed edges.
-
5
Place a sunbonnet on your head to protect your scalp, ears, neck and face. Typically, your bonnet will not match the dress or apron. Choose a sunbonnet that is light in both weight in color.
-
6
Put on stockings that are at least knee length in white or black. Low-heeled lace-up leather shoes or boots complete your pioneer attire.
Men
-
7
Put a white undershirt and drawers next to your skin, to serve as your underclothing. Wear cotton in summer and wool flannel in the winter.
-
8
Wear a white cotton or linen shirt with long, full sleeves and a standing, detachable collar. The shirt should button down the front and at the cuffs and should be tucked into the trousers.
-
9
Add trousers to the outfit, typically made from wool. Use plain wool, tweed or small plaids for the trousers. Suspenders that button onto the waistband are a common accessory.
-
10
Put a wool vest and coat on over your shirt. The vest should be fairly fitted and may match or contrast with the trousers, while the coat may be either knee-length or a shorter, looser cut similar to modern suit jackets.
-
11
Complete your outfit with shoes, socks and a cap. Put on well-constructed, front-lacing leather boots in either black or brown and wool socks. Use a cap similar to a "newsboy" cap for head protection.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Drawers are a type of underwear worn next to the skin.
References
- Photo Credit Photos.com/Photos.com/Getty Images
