How to Make a Civil War Vintage Outfit for Men

Whether it's for reenactments, period balls, costume parties, or just for fun, making and wearing a Civil War vintage outfit can be fun and not too terribly hard.

If you're going for a very basic look, you can begin with a white dress shirt, slacks (buttons instead of zipper would be preferable), a string tie, and a vest.

A white dress shirt if you don't already have one can be obtained for as little as $15 at discount stores, or you could even try thrift shops for lower prices. Higher quality shirts can be purchased at most men's clothing stores.

Slacks have the same story. $15 at most discount stores, and possibly cheaper if you can find your size at a thrift shop. Again, men's clothing stores will probably have items with higher quality. Finding pants without a zipper for a truly authentic Civil War vintage outfit is another matter. Most men wearing zipper less pants today are Amish or Quaker or some other religion affiliation with an affection for plain living. As such, it can be difficult to find stores in most areas offering them or even a place online to order them. However, mail order catalogs are a good solution. Ordering through a company such as the Gohn Brothers, pants without zippers can be reasonably obtained. Often for under $30.

String ties can be purchased online for between $15 and $35. If you're looking to go to a brick and mortar store, you can try anywhere that sells Western wear.

Vests vary widely in price. Some thrift shops might have them for a very affordable rate, while you can spend $50 and upwards at a men's clothing store. It all depends on what's available in your area.

You can assemble this basic Civil War vintage outfit for a total of $100. But if you're a more adventurous man looking for military garb, the price can go up a great deal.