Fashion in the Wild West: What Women Wore on the Frontier
Women's attire in the Wild West was a unique blend of necessity, fashion, and the harsh realities of frontier life.
This article explores the various elements of women's clothing during the Wild West era, roughly spanning from 1850 to 1900, a period marked by westward expansion and the establishment of frontier communities.
What Did Women Wear in the Wild West?
Women in the Wild West typically wore practical and durable clothing such as simple blouses, long skirts, undergarments like chemises and corsets, and accessories like bonnets and gloves, with more elaborate dresses and gowns for formal occasions.
Pioneer and Frontier Fashion
Everyday Wear
Women on the frontier needed practical and durable clothing that could withstand the rigors of daily chores and variable weather. The typical outfit included a simple blouse and a long skirt made of sturdy fabric. Skirts were often ankle-length to allow for ease of movement while performing tasks like gathering wood or tending to animals. Aprons were commonly worn over dresses for domestic chores, while bonnets or wide-brimmed hats protected the face from the sun.
Undergarments
Underneath their outer garments, women wore several layers of underclothing, which included a chemise or a shift, followed by pantalets or long underwear that reached the calves. Corsets were common among women of all social classes as they provided both support and a fashionable silhouette. Over the corset, a woman might wear a corset cover, followed by one or more petticoats to give the skirt its fullness.
Dresses and Gowns
For more formal occasions, such as church services or social gatherings, women wore more elaborate dresses. These dresses often featured fitted bodices with full skirts supported by crinolines or bustles, depending on the fashion of the time. Sleeves varied from slim to puffed, depending on the prevailing fashion trends back East, as Western fashion often lagged a few years behind.
Accessories and Outerwear
Accessories were both functional and decorative. Women commonly wore bonnets or hats to protect themselves from the sun. Gloves, shawls, and scarves provided additional warmth and protection from the elements. For footwear, sturdy boots were common, especially for those working outdoors. Jewelry was minimal and often held sentimental value.
Specialized Clothing
Certain roles and activities required specialized attire. For example, women who worked in saloons or as entertainers might wear more flamboyant outfits, including shorter skirts and low-cut blouses, which were considered inappropriate for more formal occasions. Riding habits, which included tailored jackets and split skirts or bloomers, allowed women to ride horses more comfortably and safely.
Working Women
Women who worked on ranches or farms often wore more masculine clothing for convenience, such as trousers, shirts, and sturdy boots. Some women even wore modified versions of men's work clothes to better suit their needs.
Evolution of Western Women's Fashion
As the 19th century progressed, the fashion of women's clothing in the Wild West gradually evolved. The introduction of mail-order catalogs and the expansion of railway networks made the latest fashions more accessible to women in remote areas. This accessibility allowed for quicker adoption of current trends and a gradual closing of the fashion gap between the frontier and the more established Eastern cities. Victorian fashion trends from the East influenced women's clothing in the Wild West, but these trends were adapted to suit the practical needs of frontier life.
Conclusion
The clothing worn by women in the Wild West was a reflection of their environment and lifestyle. It balanced practicality with the fashion of the times and adapted to the needs of life on the frontier. Women's fashion in the Wild West was a mix of practicality, adaptability, and resourcefulness. Despite the harsh conditions, these pioneering women managed to maintain a sense of style that is celebrated and remembered in the romanticized view of the Wild West today.
Richard Sutherland
RichardSutherland@bitsnspurs.orgRichard is a western lifestyle author for Bits N' Spurs, the weekly newsletter that keeps pace with today's rodeo. His articles are featured on dozens of rodeo and Western related websites and provide a window to the world of cowboy culture.