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Typical Trousers cuts of the US Civil War period?

Edward

Edward

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I'm seeing a lot of nicely made (and, crucially, very affordable) trousers aimed at ACW reenactors these days - both civilian and military. Find it impossible, however, to get a handle on the fit of the trousers, only seeing them worn online (few websites seem even to show them being modelled). Can anyone tell me, please, were the trousers being worn on the field or by the man in the street in 1861-65 narrow, like the late Victorian / Edwardian era, or a little wider - more late 1920s style? I can't even find online what the average ankle-width was...
 
HanauMan

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Having seen some mid 1800s pants I can state that they were worn slightly higher up the waist than modern pants. Most were slightly baggy but the legs tapered from the crotch down to the ankle. Also, they were worn with braces, no belt loops on pants until the 1920s, apparently. No idea what the average ankle width was but I have seen folk wearing boots both over and under the pants, so I'm guessing they weren't too tight at the ankle.

There are several companies in the US who make vintage 1800s clothing, both civilian and military, so you could check them out.
 
Edward

Edward

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HanauMan said:
Having seen some mid 1800s pants I can state that they were worn slightly higher up the waist than modern pants. Most were slightly baggy but the legs tapered from the crotch down to the ankle. Also, they were worn with braces, no belt loops on pants until the 1920s, apparently. No idea what the average ankle width was but I have seen folk wearing boots both over and under the pants, so I'm guessing they weren't too tight at the ankle.

There are several companies in the US who make vintage 1800s clothing, both civilian and military, so you could check them out.
Click to expand...


Thanks, sounds like these could be worth a look, then. I had tried 'old West' trousers in the past and found them a bit Edwardian/thin for me, but I read an article on 19th Century fashion which suggested the 1860s fit was similar to the 30s/40s. Struck me as worth looking into given how affordable a lot of them are by comparison (found a couple of UK places that do them for £40ish). I can certainly live without belt loops most of the time.
 
Seb Lucas

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1865 tousers.jpg

I have these on file as a pair of 1860's trousers.

Pants worn - photo 1860's. 1860's.png
 
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DaveProc

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I am a historian and former Civil War Reenactor. Original Union trousers for enlisted men were mass produced in factories in only a few sizes. The were worn high at the navel and had relatively wide legs, the fit depended on the body type of the individual wearing them and as the campaign drew on, the fit became more lose and baggy. Officers on the other hand, officers that could afford to purchase there own uniforms wore trimmer more fitted style. The enlisted uniform fit like work wear from the same period to provide a wide range of movement, function and durability over form.
 
Last edited:
Edward

Edward

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DaveProc said:
I am a historian and former Civil War Reenactor. Original Union trousers for enlisted men were mass produced in factories in only a few sizes. The were worn high at the navel and had relatively wide legs, the fit depended on the body type of the individual wearing them and as the campaign drew on, the fit became more lose and baggy. Officers on the other hand, officers that could afford to purchase there own uniforms wore trimmer more fitted style. The enlisted uniform fit like work wear from the same period to provide a wide range of movement, function and durability over form.
Click to expand...

Belated thanks - that's very helpful information. :)
 
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