Mountain Man Rendezvous Clothing & Accessories - Getting Dressed Up for Your First Mountain Man Rendezvous! - Crazy Crow Trading Post
Mountain Man Rendezvous Clothing & Accessories - Getting Dressed Up for Your First Mountain Man Rendezvous! - Crazy Crow Trading Post

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Mountain Man Rendezvous Clothing
& Accessories for Beginners

Getting Dressed Up for Your First Mountain Man Rendezvous!

Mountain Man Rendezvous
Clothing & Accessories
for Beginners

Getting Dressed Up for Your First Mountain Man Rendezvous!

When getting started in Buckskinning and Mountain Man Era reenactment for rendezvous or black powder shoots, it’s easy to run out (or get online) and purchase whatever apparel you discover that looks like it would suit your needs. Expensive buckskin shirts, pants and moccasins may all seem appropriate at the time; however, you may regret doing a lot expensive shopping once you get a better idea of what you want to do. Better yet, put some thought into the period you wish to portray (your persona) and do as much research as possible before advancing to high end clothing and accessories.

Instead of buying a bunch of expensive clothing for your first Rendezvous, just buy the basics, and then use a keen eye, examining your fellow ‘skinners. Try not to be overwhelmed when you see all of the great clothing and accessories that your new friends are wearing. Keep in mind that many of them have had years of collecting to acquire their mountain man apparel and gear.

So, start off simple. The more you get into the historical reenacting hobby, you can increasingly build your wardrobe to match whatever time period or style you select.

Starter Mountain Man Clothing & Accessories:

  • Calico or unbleached cotton drop-front shirt; for the ladies, a simple calico dress
  • Fall-front or drop-front pants
  • Inexpensive moccasins (nothing with rubber soles!!)
  • A belt (leather with period-correct brass buckle)

DO IT YOURSELF & SAVE: See our Mountain Man Clothing & Accessory Kits

There are undoubtedly other items that would be good to have, depending on what the weather is expected to be, but it is still best to start simply. Ask a lot of questions when you see something at Rendezvous that grabs your attention. You will find that buckskinners are a friendly lot and will be happy to help any beginners (newbie-rendezvous-goers) getting started in the Mountain Man reenactment hobby.

Ready-Made Rendezvous Clothing & Accessories from Crazy Crow Trading Post.

Over the years, Crazy Crow has forged relationships with crafts people across the country (and local talent, too) that produce quality, authentic ready-made clothing, accessories and craft items.

Don’t Forget your personal Rendezvous Gear!

While it has been said that the only thing your need at a Rendezvous, other than your clothing is a tin cup, we suggest not taking that literally!
Most folks would add a few things to their essential rendezvous personal gear list, such as a plate and fork and spoon. Like your rendezvous clothing, the best way to build-up equipment is slowly, and the type equipment you aqcuire is depends on the time period you are emulating with your outfit.[3]

Some essential starter things include:[4]

  • Tin cup
  • Tin plate or bowl (wood is okay, if period correct)
  • Fork and/or Spoon
  • Wool blanket: A wool blanket is the best period-correct sleeping item that one can have, but before buying an expensive Whitney or Hudson’s Bay Point blanket, try a less-expensive surplus blanket. Most will be okay if they are a solid color (grey, white, red, blue, but never OD green).

Not as essential for a starter

You will want these as soon as you can get them: Belt Knife, and, Possibles Bag, Flint and Steel Kit (it is never too early to start practicing starting fires with flint and steel).

Before you go to your first Rendezvous:

  • Check to see if it is a ‘primitive’ or ‘pre-1840’ rendezvous.
  • If it is, then see if they offer a ‘tin tipi’ or non-primitive camp that is separated from the primitive camp.
  • If they do not, check with them to see what their requirements for ‘starters’ are.
  • Ask if they offer ‘loaner’ outfits for those who want to attend and participate in a Rendezvous, but don’t know how they’ll like it and don’t want to spend the money for even the most basic outfit.
  • Of course, there are some Rendezvous that are hard core, but don’t be bashful about asking, you may be surprised (also read their flyer or online information as it may be indicated).

Final Thoughts

These days we have a different relationship with our clothes than people used to. We seem to mostly dress for fashion or comfort. While mountain men certainly paid attention to fashion and wanted to be comfortable, there were other criteria they had to consider for their clothing as well. For one thing, trappers had to be concerned with the function of their clothing. Their clothing was their gear. This idea of clothing being gear doesn’t appear to be widespread today. Being outdoorsmen, mountain men knew their clothing was the first layer of defense against all the bugs, thorns, cactus, rain, wind, and other elements they had to withstand. [5]

Trappers also had material decisions to make with their clothing. Since their activities took them far from civilization, mountain men had to be able to recreate clothing from materials found in the wild. As a result, these men often wore buckskin and fur clothing when they had to. That being said, mountain men also wore shirts, pants, shoes, and hats produced back east when they could pick them up at rendezvous. Like individuals today, trappers also had different styles. Some wore more manufactured goods like cloth pants, shirts, and brogans. Others adopted the functional clothing of the Native Americans they lived among and were clad head to toe in buckskins. It simply depended on the individual. [6]

Ready-Made Rendezvous Clothing, Gear & Accessories from Crazy Crow Trading Post

Over the years, Crazy Crow has forged relationships with crafts people across the country (and local talent, too) that produce quality, authentic ready-made rendezvous clothing, gear, accessories, and craft items. A few of these products are displayed beneath this article.

Resources

Crazy Crow Articles

Crazy Crow Trading Post Crow Calls Sale

Current Crow Calls Sale

March – April 2024

Take advantage of great deals during our March – April Crow Calls Sale! SAVE 10%-20% on popular powwow, rendezvous, historic reenactor, bead & leather crafter supplies. Don’t miss the savings on many popular items like Missouri River Deluxe Hunting Bags, Plains Hard Sole Moccasin Kits, 18th & 19th Century Footwear: Men’s & Women’s Colonial Shoes with Buckles, Riflemen’s Half Boots & Civil War Brogans, Colonial Clothing: Waistcoats, Knee Breeches, 1850s Waistcoats & Frockcoats, Pow-Wow Drums, Hand Drum Kits, Plains Style Lance & Spear Heads, Dream Catchers & Mandalas, Traditional Serapes & so much more!

Mountain Man Rendezvous Clothing & Accessories for Beginners (click images to view product detail)

The following items are used in the above-article, or may provide added reference and helpful information.

Mountain Man, Voyageur & Longhunter Clothes - Crazy Crow Trading Post

Mountain Man, Voyageur & Longhunter Clothes

We offer a line of historically authentic ready-made Rocky Mountain Fur Trade, French Voyageur Fur Trade and Longhunter (1760-1790) clothing and accessories. Our shirts, frocks, vests, ponchos, pants, hats, and accessories will have you strutin’ your stuff in style at the next rondy! Our Early American clothing is based on historical research and is made from authentic fabrics that match the era. From our Longhunter Pull Over Hunting Shirt to our Mountain Man Work Shirt, Drop Sleeve Shirt(or other fur trade era pants, shirts & hats).

Moccasins, Boots & Shoes for the Fur Trapper and Mountain Man, Voyageur, Longhunter & Early American Historical Reenactor - Crazy Crow Trading Post

Moccasins, Boots & Shoes for the Fur Trapper and Mountain Man, Voyageur, Longhunter & Early American Historical Reenactors

Moccasins were by far the most common footwear worn by Mountain Men, as shown in paintings trade ledgers and journals. Our Taos Trapper Moccasins, originating from Pueblo moccasins of New Mexico provide especially durable, thick molded soles. The Rifleman Half Boots, popular from the Revolutionary War through the Civil War would be a desirable footwear option until they wore out, probably to be replaced by moccasins that could be made from local ‘material’. Accessories include half-leggings and gaiters.

Mountain Man, Voyageur & Longhunter Craft Kits - Crazy Crow Trading Post

Mountain Man, Voyageur & Longhunter Craft Kits

Several fine craftworkers have helped us develop the most authentic and comprehensive Mountain Man, Voyageur & Longhunter Kits craft kits available. Whether our clothing kits, moccasin kits, powder horn kits, or other craft kit, it includes quality materials, selected specially for each kit’s requirements and the experience level for which the kit is designed. Our easy-to-follow instructions are complete with detailed illustrations and photos for expert and novice alike.

Mountain Man, Voyageur & Longhunter Craft Patterns - Crazy Crow Trading Post

Mountain Man, Voyageur & Longhunter Craft Patterns

Several fine craftworkers have helped us develop the most authentic and comprehensive Mountain Man & Rendezvous patterns for clothing and footwear available. Extensive information includes material requirements, layout, garment making tips, details on period styles, variations and decoration of each garment, such as beadwork, ribbonwork, fringe treatment, etc. Our easy-to-follow instructions are complete with detailed illustrations and photos for expert and novice alike.

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