SEE TREK CLOTHING PICTURES BELOW

Men’s Clothing

• Shirts: Men’s shirts were 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.  You may find an old shirt from your grandpa’s or dad’s closet. Maybe even your own closet. To make it look more like a pioneer, a simple method of trimming/cutting the collar and picking the pocket off with a seam ripper can be shown to you. 
• Pants: Pants were also worn loose.  Cotton pants work great. Colors can include blue, black, gray, browns, especially beige and tan.  Choose rather loose-fitting through the crotch and thigh area to add comfort in walking. You can wear jeans if you want.
• Hats:  Men’s everyday hats ranged from cowboy hats, straw hats, wide-brimmed, low-felt hats, or round crowned hat.  Don’t wear a baseball hat.  A hat is strongly encouraged to avoid sunburn
• Vests (optional): If desired, thrift stores are a great option to find a vest.  Vests can also be sewn.

Almost every clothing item on the men’s clothing list can be found at a second-hand store, borrowed, or right out of your own closet.

Women’s Clothing:

• Dresses:  Back then, women wore floor-length dresses, some with ruffles.  The sleeves were full, and long, with buttons or bands at the wrist.  Necklines were usually high, with buttons up the front. Fabrics were cotton in solid colors or small print.

Experienced pioneer trekkers today have found that dresses or skirts should be mid-calf to just above ankle in length.  This helps the women not to trip over their skirts while pulling.

• Skirt & Blouse: Long skirts & Blouses were also worn by pioneers.  Solid or print fabric skirts can be sewn for a very low price.  Blouses of all colors can be found at any second-hand store (or even in your own closet).  A simple method of cutting the collar off will make any blouse a pioneer style.
• Spandex shorts / Exercise leggings:  It is strongly recommended to wear longer spandex shorts or exercise leggings under skirts or dresses to avoid chaffing and insect bites.  Bloomers were worn in the pioneer days and can also be worn.

If interested in sewing a dress, skirt, bonnet or apron, many pattern options can be found online.

• Aprons are encouraged: The standard apron was six to twelve inches shorter than the skirt length.  It gathered at the waist and tied. 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 helpful to carry things along the trail

For trekking today, large deep pockets are helpful to be able to carry different by along the trail. An apron can be made out of a pillowcase or there are patterns available.

Apron Patterns

• Hat:  A hat, straw hat, or wide brimmed hat should be worn.  A hat is important on trek to give protection from the sun. If windy, hats with ties are helpful because they are secure.