Civil War Women Wear Essay

During the Civil War Era Women were to dress a certain way. This was all determined by different factors. The ideal fashion was seven layers that made a whole dress. Hats, jewelry and other accessories were used to complete the style. Depending on which economic class one was in determined what all they could afford. Throughout the war women had to trade their bell shaped dresses in for aprons and working dresses. At some point, this style had to come to an but there is some that remains today.

In the Civil War time era, women were expected to dress a certain way. The average lady was to wear seven layers of clothing. This also varied of their class. The layers start from next to the skin and go outward. The first layer was drawers (underwear).

They were worn to protect the face, neck, and eyes from the sun. Wide brimmed hats were popular in the warmer months. They were often made of straw and tied under the chin that often featured decoration at the base of the crown. Bonnets were worn in the winter. The fabric was stiffened into a wide front brim and tied under the chin with wide ribbons of fabric. Spoon bonnets featured a tall upward front brim and much decoration. Small caps were worn indoors, especially by older women. Poor women and slaves wore a kerchief or turbans

During the Civil War American women turned their attention to the world outside the home. They left behind their Victorian clothes and traded them in for working clothes. Women of the North and South joined volunteer brigades and signed up to work as nurses. Women also organized ladies’ aid societies to supply the Union troops with supplies from food, to clothing, to cash. Nearly 20,000 women worked more directly for the Union war effort