CLOTHING AND FASHION

Women’s fashions during the Civil War included long, wide, floor-length dresses that were supported by cage crinolines and hoops, which held the stylish long train shape. Usually, only wealthy women could afford these; middle class women had to be more practical in their clothing. Many women also wore shawls to keep themselves warm, and they were expected to wear bonnets in public. It was also popular during this period for women’s day dress sleeves to be long and wide. For evening parties, society ladies switched to fancy, low-cut, and sleeveless gowns. Shortly before the start of the Civil War, synthetic dyes were developed and so women began to wear dresses with bright colors such as vivid purples and greens.

Men during the Civil War wore three-piece suits with long coats and a hat. Most men’s outfits consisted of these elements: button-down shirt, cravat (necktie), waistcoat, coat, trousers, and a hat. Men kept their hair combed back and many wore short moustaches or whiskers. Also, sideburns were invented during this period by General Ambrose Burnside.

Children were thought of as smaller adults and so they were put in clothing similar to those of their parents.

Soldiers in the Civil War usually wore an outfit consisting of a Hardee hats (black wool hats) flannel coats, wool trousers, and a knapsack of supplies. Union soldiers’ coats were blue, and Confederate soldiers wore gray coats. When supplies were limited, army men wore normal clothing or uniforms taken off dead soldiers.