Bill Reynolds, Campus Martius Museum historian, spoke on Pioneer Clothing. He presented a slide show, explained customs of the time, and brought clothing samples.

There were several classes or categories of clothing but no one went out with some kind of hat or bonnet.

The most elegant clothing was rarely worn on the frontier. It was saved for special occasions or for church. Men wore coats, pants and stockings of fine linen or silk. Shirts had ruffles at the neck and at the sleeve but no collars. Shirts were oversized and could double as nightshirts. Sleeves, waistcoats, and pant legs closely fitted the arms, chest, and legs. Having a large stomach was a sign of prosperity and tight waistcoats accented the belly. Women's elegant clothing also fitted the arms closely but had voluminous skirts. Sashes could serve to secure the dress close to the body. Shawls were delicate and caps or bonnets decorative.

People working outdoors had much plainer clothes and covered them with protective layers such as the woman's short shift and apron. Men would wear even larger shirts of durable material over their clothing and many wore a kind of chap made of buckskin to protect pant legs. Men who lived father away from settlements often had clothing entirely made of buckskin. Oak leaves could serve as sock inside moccasins.

Businessmen and administrators had less ornamentation at the neck and sleeves. The material was linen or wool. Ministers were even more austere with no ornamentation, a clerical cravat, hidden waistcoats, and black buttons that blended in with the black fabric of their coats