"Little House on the Prarie" was a tv series in the 1970s, that was based on the "Little House" books by Laura Ingalls Wilder. When I was a kid I loved that show, I'm pretty sure that's where my love of historical costumes comes from. We had the complete series boxset (it was shaped like a wagon!) and I would watch them endlessly, to the annoyance of my parents.
The show was made in the mid-seventies and was based in the 1870s. The costumes on it were beautiful, but were they historically accurate?
Clothing in the 1870s
In the 1870s, bustles and high necks were in style.
In the rural places where Laura Ingalls grew up woman often wore simpler versions of what was in fashion (unless it was Mrs. Oleson, but more on that later) this was because they helped on the farm and I'm assuming that a bustle would be a hindrance.
Children's clothes were like the adults but smaller and simpler (of course this could depend on the family you're in), with the girl's skirts shorter.
Costumes on "Little House on the Prairie"
Overall I think that the clothing was accurate (except for the hair, but we won't talk about that), but I want to show what I like and don't like.
The Good
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| It's my opinion that if you go for a simpler costume in the popular dress shape of the time, you're more likely to have a historically accurate costume. Also, I really like simple clothes. |
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| I don't see anything wrong with Mary's and Carrie's dresses. They are both the right style and length for their ages and stations. |
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| I really like the flounces on Laura's dress and that she's wearing bloomers. |
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| Ok, I don't like Nellie when she was a kid (she got better), but her dresses were beautiful. I'm a sucker for floral print. Especially pink floral print. |
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| I really like how Nellie's hairbows contrast her dress. Also, Willie's shirt is accurate because pink used to be a seen as a masculine colour. |
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| I love the colour of this hat and how all the ribbons and flowers on it match. |
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| Again, I'm a sucker for florals. Caroline's outfit was basically the t-shirt and jeans of the 1870s. |
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| I don't like Mrs. Oleson's outfit (the hat and dress colours clash) but I like the ruffled cape. |
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| I like how the dress has matching fabric but in different colours that still go together. Also, you got to love that hat. |
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| Florals all around. No problems here. |
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| The lace collar really makes Mary's wedding. (Also there's nothing wrong with the picture, in the episode, there was just a dust storm.) |
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| A fancier outfit for the show with a lovely matching hat. |
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| An extra's dress, I like the colours and the lace, but I think the sleeves might be too short. |
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| I just really like this red dress that Laura has. |
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| A closer look at Laura and Mary's dresses note the collars on them. |
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| I like the grey pleating on the bonnet, along with the white and black flowers. |
The Bad
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| I like the dress, but there's something about it that seems too 70s to me. |
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| I don't think that women in this time would have worn a scarf instead of a bonnet. |
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| I just don't like the colours in this dress. |
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| The trim is ugly on this dress, if it didn't have it I might like it better. |
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| Holy smokes, what did Nellie do to her hair? |
The Ugly
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| Usually, I like plain dresses like this, but there is something about it I don't like. |
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| I'm sorry, but I just don't think that blue and orange go together. Thank goodness Laura only wore this for one episode. |
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| Yikes, where to start? First of all the bird on her hat looks like roadkill. Second, her hairstyle is too, young for her, Third, her dress colours don't go together at all and are too bright. |
So that's all I have to say. I hope you all enjoyed it and I will see you next time.
