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If you wanted to know what folks wore in the 1840's...

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That trend continued up through the 1950's and into the 60's How many remember their fathers and grandfathers wearing suit and tie and fedora when out in public? I have searched Minnesota mid 1800's trappers and farmers pictures. The great majority all show guys in shirts, vests and jackets. Now the question is, did they don this attire for normal workaday wear or because they were having their pictures taken? Having your picture taken back then would have been a big deal.
 
That trend continued up through the 1950's and into the 60's How many remember their fathers and grandfathers wearing suit and tie and fedora when out in public? I have searched Minnesota mid 1800's trappers and farmers pictures. The great majority all show guys in shirts, vests and jackets. Now the question is, did they don this attire for normal workaday wear or because they were having their pictures taken? Having your picture taken back then would have been a big deal.

Yes. I remember that dress style. As to your question. I believe the answer is still unknown. But beliefs linger. At one time I was an actor for three different documentary movies about the early history of Arkansas. One was shot in the, still in existence, Old State House. I was part of the Legislature that formed the State and voted in 1836 to become a state. I debated with the director that some members of the Legislature were hunters, trappers, surveyors, farmers, etc. and, likely, would wear their everyday clothes to the State House meetings. But, I lost that argument and we were all required to wear suits and hats. So, to this day, and from now on, that is the image the public will see and accept as fact.
 
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The only drawing we have of Jed Smith is in ‘sunday Go to meeting clothes’. I doubt he wore this trapping.
I recall the movie ‘Man in the wilderness’ loosely based on Glass. The men are dress in a hodgepodge of very rough to Henry dressed in a tail coat.
I think that was accurate. Calab Bringhams painting show everything from shirt tails half out to pretty fine dress.
To Rifleman’s point I bet some folk turned up to even important meetings in the only clothes they possessed.
Miller shows plenty of men in skins at the rendezvous but ledgers show trousers, shirts, coats, shoes, and boots, for sale.
Photos were new and special. By the 1860s and 70s with in town photos people seem to have had a wide manner of clothing.
We know from tha photos that at some times some people dressed a lot nicer then the average guy at an event. The officer his lady and the lower class working women here is typical of every day dress... endless possibilities within the style of the day.
 
Just throwing this out......remember the pics of men in white shirts and ties.....in overalls. Dressed.up
 
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