Unveiling the Ultimate Collection: Exploring the Authenticity of Outlander Costumes

Summary

Outlander's costumes accurately depict 18th century Scottish clothing, including tight corsets and padding for women and traditional kilts for men.

The show's meticulous attention to detail is evident even in the smaller aspects, such as Jamie's historically accurate tam and kilt.

Although the costumes are mostly faithful to historical accuracy, there are a few inaccuracies. Examples include the dull colors of clan tartans and the inclusion of Victorian-era accessories like chatelaines.

The costumes in the series Outlander are a beloved and popular aspect, known for their historical accuracy. The show, which premiered in 2014, tells the story of Claire Randall, a woman who is transported back in time to the 1700s and finds love with a Scottish Highlander named Jamie. Throughout its nearly decade-long run, Outlander has gained a large following, with its costume design and attention to detail being significant contributors to its success. Costume designers Terry Dresbach and Trisha Biggar have worked diligently to recreate the 18th century with incredible accuracy, although perfection is not always attainable. Sometimes, real-life practicality forces compromises that may not align perfectly with the time period. Nevertheless, the show's costumes have received high praise and recognition, including an Emmy nomination. While the cast of Outlander often steals the spotlight in each episode, the incredible costume design supports them in fully embodying their characters and the specific time period in which they exist.

Outlander Costumes That Are Historically Accurate

Accurate: Scottish Ensembles for Women

During the first season, the characters primarily reside in Scotland, immersing themselves in its captivating landscape. The costumes impeccably reflect this environment, boasting a palette dominated by earthy and dark hues. Notably, the women's ensembles faithfully adhere to the fashion trends of the 18th century. Claire's (depicted by Catriona Balfe) dresses elegantly showcase the prevalent use of tight corsets and additional padding, such as panniers or bum rolls, which were customary in women's attire during the 1700s, as highlighted by Silhouettes Costumes. Interestingly, all extras on the set wear corsets in every scene, as the absence of zippers or velcro during the 18th century necessitates this fitting choice.

Accurate: Demonstration of a Kilt

Early in the Outlander timeline during season 1, Jamie (Sam Heughan) showcases the correct method of adorning a kilt, which is essentially an oversized blanket in the tartan colors of a family. Thankfully, the proper technique aligns with historical accuracy and entails laying the kilt down, lying atop it, and rolling oneself up (via Kilts & More). Kilts are typically crafted from woolen fabric. Among all the Outlander costumes, it was crucial for the kilts to embody precision, as the essence of the show centers around Scotland's allure as a romantically captivating place, inhabited by equally enchanting men like Jamie.

Accurate: Jamie's Ghost

In the first episode of season 1, titled "Sassenach," Claire's husband, Frank (portrayed by Tobias Menzies), catches a glimpse of someone outside her window while returning home late at night. Initially unaware of the person's identity, the audience swiftly recognizes Jamie as the mysterious figure. His traditional Scottish Highlander attire, consisting of a long kilt and a tam, clearly signifies his origin and is historically accurate for that era. The tam, a woolen hat with Scottish roots, derives its name from Robert Burns' renowned 1790 poem, "Tam o'Shanter" (via Hat Guide).

Accurate: Army Wear

Accurate: Dougal's Trews

During the rebellion against the English in season 2, the aim was to place Bonny Prince Charlie (played by Andrew Gower) on the throne. Surprisingly, Jamie's men appeared without any form of armor, which serves as a vivid portrayal of the impoverished state of the Highlanders. Their garments were tattered, and their weaponry was scarce, even during wartime (via Nicolson Kiltmakers). Regrettably, this destitute condition persisted following the failure of the rebellion at the Culloden Moor battlefield. Each man wore his own attire, and it was evident that they lacked the specialized training of a true fighting force.

In the early episodes of season 1, Claire finds herself surrounded by a group of Scottish men, many of whom embrace the traditional attire of kilts. However, there is one notable exception. Dougal (portrayed by Graham McTavish), the brother of the clan Mackenzie's laird, stands out by opting for trews instead of kilts. This choice of trousers serves as a testament to their authenticity as 18th-century clothing. Moreover, Dougal's unique outfit sets him apart from the other men, emphasizing his role as the muscular force behind clan Mackenzie. Not only do trousers allow for greater mobility, but they also contribute to defining Dougal as a formidable fighter. This insight was shared by Frock Flicks.

Accurate: Jamie's Kerchief And Waistcoat

Accurate: Brianna And Roger's '80s Looks

The Outlander series has garnered much attention and criticism regarding its overall historical accuracy. However, the focus of discussion has shifted primarily towards the various costumes featured in the show. Particularly, when Jamie, Claire, and their companions relocated to the British Colonies in the New World during season 4, the costume requirements underwent subtle changes. As season 6 unfolds, Jamie's attire adheres more closely to the time period, showcasing an accurate representation of a common outfit for 18th century colonists prior to the Revolutionary War (via American Centuries).

In season 7 of Outlander, we witness Brianna, the daughter of Jamie and Claire, navigating through different time periods. She finds herself back in the 20th century, where she is raising her children with Roger in the 1980s. While many movies representing the '80s tend to exaggerate with eccentric fashion choices and vibrant colors, Brianna and Roger opt for a more sophisticated approach. Their contemporary outfits are tasteful and capture the essence of the era, without succumbing to the neon clichés typically associated with the 1980s. These ensembles are suitable for mature adults of that time period.

Outlander Costumes That Are Historically Inaccurate

Inaccurate: Drab Colors of Tartans

The accuracy of the Scottish clan tartans is often scrutinized in discussions about Outlander costumes, and unfortunately, it is not always accurately portrayed in the series. Clan Fraser has a historical division into two branches: the Lovat branch, to which Jamie belongs, and a lower-ranked branch of the family. According to The History Press, Lovat tartans should consist of bold red and green colors. However, in the show, they are depicted as dark gray and blue. Dresbach, the costume designer, defended her color choice by stating that she believed dyers would not strive for perfection, particularly with such vibrant colors, especially when there were other pressing matters to attend to, as reported by Elle.

Inaccurate: Brianna's Wedding Dress

Although Outlander didn't delve into the specifics of Brianna and Roger's story, their enchanting wedding in season 5 was a delightful moment. Brianna's wedding gown is a deliberate blend of various styles, eras, and cultures, reflecting her own eclectic nature. However, it deviates from historical accuracy. While she did acquire the fabric from Aunt Jocasta in season 4, the inclusion of orange blossoms (a nod to the 1960s and 1970s) is atypical. Additionally, it wasn't until Queen Victoria's marriage to Albert in 1840 that white and cream wedding dresses gained popularity (via Vogue). Consequently, although Bree looked stunning, her attire doesn't strictly adhere to 18th-century fashion.

Inaccurate: Geillis' Lover's Eye Jewelry

In season 1, Lotte Verbeek's character, Geillis Duncan, adorns a striking accessory known as the Lover's Eye. This exquisite brooch delicately holds up the sleeve of her dress, making it one of the most captivating costumes in Outlander. However, it must be noted that this particular piece of jewelry deviates from historical accuracy, as it gained popularity mainly between the 1790s and 1820s among the affluent families of England, Russia, France, and America (via Artsy). Functioning similarly to lockets, Lover's Eyes concealed portraits, shielding them from prying eyes. Geillis' choice of this unique adornment offers a glimpse into her enigmatic nature and hints at her possession of a few cunning tricks and well-guarded secrets.

Inaccurate: Claire's Chatelaine

Inaccurate: Claire's Dressage Dress

One little-known fact about Claire's costumes in Outlander season 2 is her inclusion of a chatelaine while in Paris. A chatelaine is a collection of short chains that are fastened to the belt of a woman's dress and used for carrying small items like keys. Interestingly, the chatelaine Claire wears is actually from the Victorian era (as per Jewelry Guide), which isn't historically accurate for the time period depicted in the show. Some may argue that Claire was simply ahead of her time, embracing new fashion trends in Paris with the advantage of hindsight, unlike her contemporaries. However, Dresbach admitted to being smitten with the piece, despite its historically inaccurate nature (according to Buzzfeed).

During her time in Paris in season 2, Claire is seen donning a patterned ensemble that, according to the costume Dresbach (via Buzzfeed), more accurately resembles the fashion of the 1940s with its chintz fabric. The floral pattern aligns with other patterns from that era, making it a touch ahead of the other Outlander costumes of the time. Surprisingly, the dress complements the fashion-conscious scene of Paris and also the outdoor environment where Claire wears it. Interestingly, the fabric is said to have originated from a store in San Francisco, which could explain how Claire has access to it in the 18th century.

Inaccurate: Claire's Coat

Throughout her time-traveling journey in Outlander, Claire has often defied the fashion norms of the era, leading to numerous inaccuracies. During the events of Outlander season 6, while residing on Fraser's Ridge, Claire frequently dons an ankle-length trench-style coat, reminiscent of men's fashion prevalent at that time. However, it is important to note that women in the 18th century rarely adopted this style, particularly during the winter months when capes and hoods were the customary attire for combating the cold (via American Centuries). While not entirely implausible, Claire's wardrobe choice is incongruous with the expected dress code of women in Colonial America.

Inaccurate: Claire's Buttoned Vest

The intricate details of the Outlander costumes contribute to the show's captivating authenticity. However, Claire's season 7 costume deviates slightly from the accurate portrayal of 18th-century women's fashion. While her petticoat ensembles largely reflect the period, Claire occasionally wears a buttoned vest, which American Centuries suggests would be considered a fashion faux pas. Surprisingly, buttons were rarely incorporated into women's attire during the 18th century, as it was deemed unladylike.