I continue to regret that much / most of this information was unknown to me 40 years ago when I was teaching American history and showing my students slides of my own trips along the Oregon Trail. There was always plenty of information about what the males wore, tools and equipment used on the journey, wagons and their construction, even animal harnesses and how to deal with draft animals, but almost nothing on what women wore, and why.
It's my understanding that many women on the trail shortened the skirts of their dresses and wore pantalettes (sort of a trouser) underneath to protect their legs (and, of course, to retain their modesty). I have a hard time believing that women salking 2000 miles to Oregon or California wore hoops every day on the trail. There must be trail diary documentation about this.
Very interesting, thank you!
Thanks for watching!
I continue to regret that much / most of this information was unknown to me 40 years ago when I was teaching American history and showing my students slides of my own trips along the Oregon Trail. There was always plenty of information about what the males wore, tools and equipment used on the journey, wagons and their construction, even animal harnesses and how to deal with draft animals, but almost nothing on what women wore, and why.
We hope to keep on finding these nearly hidden stories and giving voice to them! Thanks for engaging.
Are you saying that women wore the hoops every day on the trail out west? Was it reserved for special occasions?
They did until bloomers caught on around 1854.
It's my understanding that many women on the trail shortened the skirts of their dresses and wore pantalettes (sort of a trouser) underneath to protect their legs (and, of course, to retain their modesty). I have a hard time believing that women salking 2000 miles to Oregon or California wore hoops every day on the trail. There must be trail diary documentation about this.