So, what did Central Florida's pioneers wear?
Generally, loose-fitting clothes were selected to contend with our area's warm climate. Long sleeves were the norm all year long, as they prevented sunburn and shielded against minor scrapes and abrasions. Shirts and blouses mostly had high collars with buttons in the front. The hotter it got, the fewer were fastened at top.
Men and boys wore long trousers, never shorts. Blue jeans were an extreme rarity, because they are tight and do not breathe. Cotton and wool were the preferred material, depending on the season. Ties and vests were sometimes worn on Sundays and for other special occasions. Jackets were rarely worn beyond winter, and then again only for big events.
Women and girls wore skirts, floor length or at least to mid-calf. Aprons shielded these against stains associated with household chores. Day-to-day aprons generally had a bib and were made of calico. But, Sunday aprons had no bibs and were bleached as white as possible.
Everyone wore hats to shield them from the elements, particularly Florida's powerful sunshine. Men's hats varied by the season, straw in warm weather and felt or leather when it was cool. Women wore cotton bonnets with a stiff brim at front and ruffles in back to shield their necks. They were always made of a different material than the woman's dress.
Shoes were both a utility and prized commodity. On a day-to-day basis, they were needed to protect the pioneers' feet from burning sands and brambles. The most fortunate in the community might have a pair of "Sunday shoes" to wear to church and other more refined occasions. But, these would not be worn to walk any great distance. Sometimes, they would be carried and put on the feet only after arriving at an event.
As noted in yesterday's post regarding food, pioneers tried to produce as much of their own clothing as possible. Store-bought attire was expensive, and highly-prized.
To learn more about pioneer folkways, visit www.pinecastlepioneerdays.org
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