Now that I have a vintage camping trailer, I thought it would be fun to wear some vintage camping clothes. Taking a look back on 1900s to 1950s hiking and camping clothes, I have a choice from long skirts, to knickers, to pants and even dresses. What decade would you most like to camp in?
Hiking in 1910 was still a full skirt and corset affair. At least they had somewhat more rustic hiking boots.
Around 1900, tweed and plaid prints were symbolic with sportswear for the upper classes. Here both suits and knickers were options for hiking and gardening? (watering can?)
By the 1920’s women were free from long skirts. Choices were now knit skirts, tops and cardigans or men’s sport knickers. Shoes were either lace up boots or oxfords with a short walking heel.
1921 Women hikers in Santa Cruz, Ca (a beach town near mountains of redwood trees.) These gals must be part of a hiking club: they are all wearing similar clothes.
Sport knickers, borrowed from men’s clothing, became women’s “Sporting Togs.” They were worn for all sorts of sporting activities complete with knit sweater, blouse and tie, argyle socks, and a cloche hat. The woman on the left was a pilot too.
1924 – More ladies in plaid skirts or sporting togs. Hiking and camping were adventures young women loved to participate in.
1927- A common alternative to tweed knickers were wool or corduroy riding britches and full leg pants. They were worn for all kinds of sports but seemed especially durable during rustic hiking and camping.
Moving into the 1930’s women stillw ork sport togs for outdoor activities and traveling abroad. The knit turban or tam hat replaced the 20’s cloche during the 30’s.
1938 – The early 30’s was a time when camping was to close to poverty for many. It wasn’t until the late 30’s that Hollywood films immortalized sport fashions as both trendy home and leisure wear.
A rare view of 1930’s hikers in shorts and sandals. They must be girl scouts or similar camp leaders.
Camping in the 1940s saw a diversity of clothing- from overalls, to pants, rolled “crop” pants, and playsuits.
Two hikers featuring rolled denim jeans and long sleeves button down shirts- a signature look of the 1940s and 1950s
1948- A fashion ad for women who hike. Rolled wool pants and knit top with matching jacket. Classy and functional! About 1940s style women’s pants.
This ad sure knows how to make camping look like a great time to enjoy a cold bear. Note the men wearing durable pants and plaid shirts- a common outdoor look since the 1930s.
1951 – The Rolled denim pants of the 40’s were still popular but now the 1950s introduced cropped capri pants. “Keds” style shoes were popular for all sports too.
1950s Rustic camping clothes were modern camping equipment!
Not all camping had to be rustic. Glamping started in the 1950’s when many women still wore dresses while camping. Modern tents, camp stoves, and trailers made camping cleaner, while an abundance of new, paved, trailer parks and campsites literally paved the way to glamorous camping.
Hiking Boots
The turn of the century saw women taking to the out-of-doors in droves. Thier need for sturdy boots was a growing industry. Abercrombie was one such company who is still around today. Thier hiking boots were over the calf high with long laces and hooks for maximum flexibility. Pair with tall socks, hiking boots remained unchanged from the 1910s to 1940s.
1913 Ambercrombie hiking outfit- tall lace-up boots
1930s “For the out-of-doors lover. The Ranch woman or hiker.”
1940s hiking boots
Tianie says
I was wondering where I could find a pair of pants from the 1940s and or shirts or dresses shirt dresses
Debbie Sessions says
I have a bunch of new 1940s style clothing listed on the site : https://vintagedancer.com/1940s/ For genuine vintage try etsy.com or ebay.com . Also this list: https://vintagedancer.com/vintage/vintage-inspired-clothing-retro-clothing/