Pioneer Clothing

Pioneer Clothing Philosophy

We dress in pioneer style clothing because doing so has a remarkable impact on the spirit of the experience and it sets an outward tone of commemoration when participants try to look the part. It also helps to even the fashion playing field. Pioneer-style clothing is practical, inexpensive, and protects from wind, sunburn, and mosquito bites.

We want to avoid unnecessary expense. Ask family members and friends who have gone on a ‘trek’ type experience before if they have clothes you can borrow. Be sure to check out Deseret Industries for used clothing as well as Facebook Marketplace. The following are guides for making your own.

Pioneer Skirt Pattern

Pioneer Apron Pattern

15 Min. Pioneer Shirt

Pioneer Clothing for Men

2-3 pairs of pioneer style pants – Dockers type, light colors are best. No denim, camouflage, or sports type pants.

2-3 shirts – long sleeve button up cotton shirts, light colors are best (no t-shirts).

1 western style hat with strings to keep it from blowing away. A wide brim floppy hat would also be acceptable. No beanies, army hats or baseball caps.

Optional – Vest, Suspenders.

Pioneer Clothing for Women

1-2 complete pioneer outfits, light colors are best.

An outfit would either be a complete pioneer dress mid-calf length to prevent tripping. No denim. Or a pioneer skirt mid-calf length with a modest long sleeve top (no t-shirts).

Skirts are the most practical because tops can be changed to keep clean. Any fabric will do but a lightweight cotton blend calico or solid is probably preferable. Light colors are best. The dresses or skirts need to be about 6 inches from the ground to avoid tripping and tearing but long enough to be authentic. Please stay with traditional skirt/dress styles. No split skirts or gaucho pants.

Dresses and skirts can also be sewn. There are many free patterns online. It can be a great learning experience for your youth to take part in this and learn a valuable skill or make it a fun activity night.

2-3 pairs of bloomers or lightweight knee length shorts to be worn under pioneer skirts are essential. Scrubs work well (helps avoid chafing and bug bites). Do NOT bring leggings to wear under a dress as it will keep the heat in. The Wyoming Trek missionaries stressed this over and over in leader training. Countless girls make this mistake and suffer heat exhaustion.

1-2 aprons with pockets. Aprons with pockets are a great way to have your lip balm and other essentials nearby.

Western style hat or wide brimmed floppy hat with chin strap to keep it from blowing away. Bonnets are not
recommended because they trap the heat. The Wyoming Trek missionaries recommend wide brimmed hats because they reduce sun exposure on the forehead and neck of girls much better than a typical bonnet. Their experience has shown that girls just don’t wear bonnets and in many cases they end up just wearing it around their neck and not on their head.

Purchasing Your Pioneer Clothing

We want to avoid unnecessary expense, so we encourage making the dresses or skirts yourself if possible. It can be a great learning experience for your youth to take part in this and learn a valuable skill or make it a fun activity night. Another option is to ask family members and friends who have gone on a ‘trek’ type experience before trek if they have clothes you can borrow. Be sure to check out Deseret Industries for used clothing.

Patterns and Sewing

There are many free patterns on Pinterest. You can also purchase patterns at the fabric store. You can also find out if someone already has one you could borrow.

Bloomers

Girls bloomers are also essential. They help protect from bugs and bites on your legs. Use a very lightweight fabric and keep the elastic loose enough to be comfortable around the knees. You can use a drawstring instead of elastic for the waste if you want. Be creative and have fun putting your pioneer outfits together. Please stay with the traditional skirt/dress styles. No split skirts or gaucho pants.

Skirts

Skirts are the most practical because tops can be changed to keep clean. Any fabric will do but a lightweight cotton blend calico or solid is probably preferable. Light colors are best. The dresses or skirts need to be about 6 inches from the ground to avoid tripping and tearing but long enough to be authentic. You can access a free pattern for pioneer skirt here.

Socks

An excellent way to prevent blisters is to use a rayon or polypropylene sock (or nylon) next to the skin and a wool sock on the outside. This has shown to reduce friction between your shoes and feet. Cotton socks should be avoided.

Aprons

Aprons with pockets are a great way to have your lip balm and other essentials nearby.

Shoes

It is not necessary to buy expensive shoes for MCE. Just be sure to have sturdy athletic shoes. They can be cross-trainers, trail runners or running shoes. You need good tread on the bottom of your shoes. You can wear hiking shoes but it is not necessary. Shoes should be well broken in before MCE to prevent blisters. Water shoes or old tennis shoes are ideal for river crossing. No flip flops or open toe shoes. The shoe size should be comfortably snug while wearing 2 pairs of socks. Too tight or too loose can cause blisters.

Bonnets

For girls, a bonnet or wide brimmed hat is required. The Wyoming Trek missionaries recommend wide brimmed hats because they reduce sun exposure on the forehead and neck of girls much better than a typical bonnet. Their experience has shown that girls just don’t wear bonnets and in many cases they end up just wearing it around their neck and not on their head. If you want to be more traditional, then a bonnet will be just fine also, it’s really up to each individual.

Buckets

A great mutual activity would be to pad the lids to make the buckets also serve as comfortable seats.