All about Civil War Clothes

It's common to see people walking the streets of Gettysburg in Civil War clothes anytime of year. Gettysburg is the Civil War reenactment capital for both the North and South. During some events, you may see more people in costume than people wearing modern clothes!

Serious reenactors pride themselves in authentic costumes. Even if you're just touring, dressing like the people of the day can be fun and add a new level of respect and appreciation for daily life. You need to consider the social and economic status of the person you're portraying and what outfit they would wear in that situation.

What did they wear in Gettysburg, July 1863?

The Details of Union Uniforms
Most people assume that all Civil War Union uniforms were navy blue, but that wasn't the case. Some regiments wore outfits that were quite colorful and stylish.

Details about Confederate Uniforms
Men who served the South not only wore shades of grey, but also various shades of brown. Learn more about what "butternuts" wore for Confederate Civil War uniforms.

The Layers of Civil War Ladies Clothing
Best remembered as the hoop skirt era, Victorian ladies clothing involved several layers of garments that seem strange to us now.

Hats and Hair Styles for Ladies
Learn about Civil War hats and how women wore their hair during this tumultuous time in United States history.

Civil War Clothes for Nurses
Many ordinary citizens in Gettysburg helped as nurses after the battle. Many buildings served as makeshift hospitals, and several homes took in wounded soldiers for a few months.

Clothing Choices for Children in the Civil War
The clothing of children in the Civil War depended on where they were living and their economic status. If you want to dress up in costume for a reenactment, you have many choices.