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Bustles and Buckskins on the Wild Frontier

Annie Oakley

Among the most talent legendary trendsetter of the Old West was Annie Oakley.  Annie Oakley’s ability with a gun made her famous, but she also had a glowing reputation as a seamstress.  A  young  Annie was taught how to sew while living and working at an Ohio county home.  Her teacher, Mrs. Ira Eddington, recognized her talent for knitting and stitching, and encouraged the sharpshooter to make clothing for children and the elderly.  Throughout her life, Annie Oakley made most of the garment she wore.  She designed the costumes she wore in Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show, and sewed the detailed embroidery that lined the sleeves, bodice, and hem of each outfit.

To learn more about Annie Oakley and how other western figures dressed read

How the West Was Worn:  Bustles and Buckskins on the Wild Frontier

A summer reading suggestion.

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It happened in Dodge City, Kansas.  A stranger in town asked a resident where he could find Bat Masterson.  A lawyer who overheard the question broke in and said, “Look for one of the most perfectly made men you ever saw, a well-dressed, good-looking fellow and when you see such a man call him ‘Bat’ and you have hit the bull’s eye.”

Masterson was known for his trim, neat style, his derby hat, tailor-made pants and jackets, and linen shirts imported from France.  He was proof that being a tough lawman did not mean one had to dress like a cowhand.

To learn more about the trend setters of the legendary Old West read

How the West Was Worn:  Bustles and Buckskins on the Wild Frontier

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The Great Lillian Russell

It is generally understood that the costumes worn by Lillian Russell are novelties and models of the American dressmaker’s art… The styles have never been known until they came into grace on the perfect form of the “Divine Lillian.” The San Francisco Call, California – 1894

With her voluptuous figure, high plumed hats, and bejeweled gowns, Lillian Russell was the talk of the fashion world in the Gay Nineties. Onstage, she dared to wear purple tights and calf-high dresses that showed her naked ankles. Offstage, she was a meticulous dresser, adorned in diamonds and lace taffeta outfits. She was considered to be the ideal female of her generation, representing all that was glamorous.

To learn more about Lillian Russell’s style and other legendary trendsetters of the Old West read How the West Was Worn:

Bustles and Buckskins on the Wild Frontier.

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Amelia Bloomer modeling a pair of world famous bloomers.

Elizabeth “Baby Doe” Tabor was one of the Old West’s legendary trendsetters. The Colorado socialite had golden hair, blue eyes, porcelain skin, and a sense of style that rivaled that of any woman in Leadville. She arrived married to a struggling miner but dressed like she was the belle of the ball. She paraded down the main street of town wearing a sapphire-blue costume with dyed-to-match-shoes. Her stunning style caught the attention not only of neighbors and storekeepers but also of millionaire Horace Tabor. Horace and Elizabeth scandalized the community by falling in love, divorcing their spouses, and marrying one another. Horace showered his new bride with jewels and the finest outfits from Boston and Paris. She wore one-of-a-kind outfits to opening nights at the opera house he had built for her.

All eyes were on the young Mrs. Tabor as Horace escorted his young bride into the theatre. Her dresses were made of Damasse silk, complete with a flowing train made of brocaded satin. The material around the arms was fringed with amber beads. The look was topped off with an ermine opera cloak and muff. Pictures of the Tabors appeared in the most-read newspapers, and soon, women from San Francisco to New York copied the outfit. The only part of the costume admirers were unable to reproduce to their satisfaction was Mrs. Tabor’s $90,000 diamond necklace.

To learn more about the trendsetter of the Old West read

How the West Was Worn: Bustles and Buckskins on the Wild Frontier

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Bustles and Buckskins on the Wild Frontier

Baby Doe Tabor

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Elizabeth “Baby Doe” Tabor was one of the Old West’s legendary trendsetters. The Colorado socialite had golden hair, blue eyes, porcelain skin, and a sense of style that rivaled that of any woman in Leadville. She arrived married to a struggling miner but dressed like she was the belle of the ball. She paraded down the main street of town wearing a sapphire-blue costume with dyed-to-match-shoes. Her stunning style caught the attention not only of neighbors and storekeepers but also of millionaire Horace Tabor. Horace and Elizabeth scandalized the community by falling in love, divorcing their spouses, and marrying one another. Horace showered his new bride with jewels and the finest outfits from Boston and Paris. She wore one-of-a-kind outfits to opening nights at the opera house he had built for her.

All eyes were on the young Mrs. Tabor as Horace escorted his young bride into the theatre. Her dresses were made of Damasse silk, complete with a flowing train made of brocaded satin. The material around the arms was fringed with amber beads. The look was topped off with an ermine opera cloak and muff. Pictures of the Tabors appeared in the most-read newspapers, and soon, women from San Francisco to New York copied the outfit. The only part of the costume admirers were unable to reproduce to their satisfaction was Mrs. Tabor’s $90,000 diamond necklace.

To learn more about the trendsetters of the Old West read

How the West Was Worn: Bustles and Buckskins on the Wild Frontier