Another question to those who know- clothing

[Laura M Hayes]

So I've spent days looking up clothing, guns etc to add to my wish list to start ordering.  My criteria:  historically accurate, made in the USA.  

At 1 point I was considering making my own clothes, but then I cannot find good patterns and I would have to hunt down cloth and it's been years since I've sown.  

I'm hoping that maybe River Junction will customize some things for me.  Looking for a top like this 1 (burgundy) and pants like this (dark brown) but without pockets on either and no suspender buttons.  From what I read cowboys, etc for who weren't in town much for the most part didn't have pants pockets or wear suspenders out on the range.  Going to around 1880.    

Is this correct?  They seem accurate. I hope.  
Thanks!  

[Major 2]

River Junction has been around a long time.....Mel is affable and will be helpful....


"cowboys, etc for who weren't in town much for the most part didn't have pants pockets or wear trousers out on the range"   

" ....didn't..... wear trousers out on the range " ?     

[DJ]

"didn't..... wear trousers out on the range " ? 

I guess the West was even wilder than we thought it was.

[River City John]

Laura, you have no idea how it's appreciated that you're asking questions first. It shows that you want to get it right,- good sign of a dedicated NCOWS enthusiast.

I know the women shooters at Blue River Regulators enjoy having the opportunity to NOT dress like the men. They have been very creative in developing their personal fashion style when putting together their clothing choices.

I have seen women's dress choices based on clothing for Victorian bicycle outfits, summer Lawn Tennis or athletic outfits, or the very full legged 'Gaucho'-style riding pants.
Even a pseudo-Zouave outfit as a Cantiniere/Viviandiere :
www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Xnl3bqMKPRs/SXYaNbanhPI/AAAAAAAAAgE/Q2SeXkgiKI4/s400/cantiniere%2Bdu%2B4c%2Bhussards%2B1860.jpg&imgrefurl=http://theebonswan.blogspot.com/2009/01/vivandieres-short-overview.html&h=400&w=206&sz=16&tbnid=5BYTNJfMkeXwCM:&tbnh=124&tbnw=64&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dcantiniere%26tbm%3Disch%26tbo%3Du&zoom=1&q=cantiniere&usg=__zOCUHAM_ij57Ne7NOJweaxvwDrQ=&sa=X&ei=TdAqTsLnLuPz0gGDnpXWCg&ved=0CDgQ9QEwCg

Or, check out the traveling outfit of Nelly Bly when she made her global circuit.


I've seen enough women in pants in my day. I'm rather fond of seeing women in dresses as was the universal norm for the era we try to recreate.

Just my personal preference.
RCJ

p.s. As a side note, if you get the chance to go to the annual NCOWS Convention (This coming year in Kentucky), there are many fine vendors who cater to the fairer sex, and very reasonable in price. All very knowledgeable, and most also offer historically accurate patterns.
Yes, isolated instances of women dressed in men's clothing, most cases of women trying to pass themselves off as opposite gender for the advantage of competing in a male dominated society. (If you're going to choose male clothing, use men's style and cut for trowsers, somewhat baggy and full in the leg and seat and high-waisted.)  

[Windy City Joe]

Jean at James Country Mercantile in Liberty, Missouri (816-781-9473) makes all of my uniforms for me and everything is historically accurate and it is all made right here in the Midwest. She can have anything made for you, and the prices are reasonable. Every NCOWS convention that I've been to, she has been there.

[River City John]

Another vote for Jean at James Country Mercantile! A loyal supporter of NCOWS, and also a presenter of seminars on related subjects at the Convention.

Plus, she is very personable and easy to talk to, and believes in one-on-one customer service.



Let me add another thought.
There are many, many photos of Annie Oakley in the various outfits she wore as a performer in Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show. These, for obvious reasons, would make excellent sources for clothing appropriate for women's shooting attire.
Also, there was another female Crack Shot performer of our era, "Pinkie" Pankhurst (?), who performed wearing American Indian-theme dresses. Her one accessory worth noting,- she wore a largish beaded or quilled leather pouch on a belt centrally in front, a la' the sporan in Highland dress, in which she carried her spare cartridges.
Have fun.
RCJ

p.s. (Might be an unfair observation, but the tight fitting pants worn by the lead in movies like "Cat Ballou" or "Hannie Caulder" was that Hollywood put more faith in the actress' derriere as opposed to their acting ability in order to generate box office draw.)

[River City John]

Sorry, you've accidently unleased me . . .  
www.silentstitches.com/Fabric.htm

www.harriets.com/otheroccas.htm

www.lavendersgreen.com/

http://periodfabric.com/

http://www.vintagefashionguild.org/content/blogcategory/51/85/#Sew

http://plainshumanities.unl.edu/projects/army_officers_wives/

RCJ

[Laura M Hayes]

I meant suspenders on the range.  Goodness.   

That's what happens when you're online for 5 hours doing research and reading student papers.


Thanks for the links.  I should have mentioned I'm going for the lady outlaw/ Calamity Jane/ Little Britches look not dresses.  Pants are much more comfortable to shoot in for me.  I'm not going for the Cat Ballou or Jane Russel in The Outlaw look either. 

[Rowdy Fulcher]

River City
You sure know about ladies clothes . could it have to do with your past life  . 

[Major 2]

Ditto on Jean @ James Country Mercantile ...I just spoke with her last week , on something she doing for me 

[TwoWalks Baldridge]

I meant suspenders on the range.  Goodness.   

That's what happens when you're online for 5 hours doing research and reading student papers.


Thanks for the links.  I should have mentioned I'm going for the lady outlaw/ Calamity Jane/ Little Britches look not dresses.  Pants are much more comfortable to shoot in for me.  I'm not going for the Cat Ballou or Jane Russel in The Outlaw look either. 

Dang, Sorry Mam, I say go for it.  It is your persona and your comfort so follow your dream. 

[Ima Sure Shot]

Laura, first let me state I am no where near an expert, not even close!!. However there were women that wore pants that were not trying to pass as men, and were not women of ill repute. The "Dress Reform Movement" did not think the tight corsets were healthy.  The corset restricted breathing and movement. Children as young as 8yrs old were put into corsets, even boys. Hence the Icabod Crane " S " curve spine. The muscles of the abdomen and lower back were not allowed to develop properly due to extreme corseting.  However, look up Dr. Mary Edwards Walker.  There are photos of her in the Library of Congress in pants. She was a Dr. during the Civil War and designed her own uniform including pants.  She was awarded a Medal of Honor for her service. Her wedding photo shows her in pants. She was way ahead of her time.  There is also Amelia Bloomer, she wore Turkish Trousers in front of the Queen of England.  She started wearing them about 1851 I believe. Hence the term "Bloomers".  Also there are photos I think in Time Life book of a Duke and his wife that had a cattle outfit out west showing her on horseback wearing pants I think in 1880's. There is a photo again,  I think it was in a time life book,  of a woman  in front of a train with her dog and several birds she shot, and she is wearing pants- I think the date was around 1880. The books are in storage right now.  Library of Congress also has photos of women in pants that were miners,49's, and actresses 1880's easy to look up. Celeste

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

Here is a cut'n paste of a post of mine from 9 May 11;

I found an e-book on American Civil War women.  Thought I`d search around before starting the thread & found an old thread on women of the old west.  Thought I`d cross reference it before proceeding;

http://www.cascity.com/forumhall/index.php/topic,3383.0.html

Here is the book;

http://bobrowen.com/nymas/civilwarwomen.html

[Laura M Hayes]

Celeste & Sir Charles:

Thanks so much!  Awesome information. Exactly what I was looking for.

LMH