What was Booth wearing?

[L Verge]

(12-11-2013 09:45 PM)Dave Taylor Wrote:  Greetings fellow Symposiumites,

I'm trying to determine, to the best of our ability, what clothing John Wilkes Booth was wearing when he assassinated Lincoln and then escaped for 12 days. I'm hoping you guys might provide me with a sense of direction as to where to look for this information. I understand that there may be differing accounts as to his apparel, but any and all ideas or sources that you might know of would be appreciated. Some day in the near future I am hoping to get myself a set of Civil War era clothing and, if I'm already going to be spending the $$$ for the clothes, I'd like them to at least resemble the clothing of the assassin. This would come especially in handy come April when I'm hoping to recreate his time in the pine thicket.

Also, for the 19th century fashionistas on the forum, could you give me a basic education on what a gentleman like Booth would be likely to have been wearing underneath his "top layer" of clothes? What were the undergarments of the day that I will need to have for authenticity and warmth?

Your best "gentleman's valet" on this subject, Dave, is Rick Smith. I tease him about being our "Mr. Peacock" at Surratt House, but he knows men's fashions very well and has dealt with Gentleman's Emporium and other sources for period clothing.

And, I certainly hope that - after your adventure this spring - you will use your period clothing and become a guide at Surratt House???