7 Costume Details in "Horizon: An American Saga" That History Buffs Will Appreciate
Authentic Touches Bring the Old West to Life
Kevin Costner's "Horizon: An American Saga" brings the American West of the 1860s to life on the big screen. This ambitious Western epic, with its sprawling narrative and attention to historical detail, offers viewers a glimpse into a pivotal era of U.S. history.
Costume designer Lisa Lovaas meticulously crafted the film's wardrobe to reflect the time period and diverse characters accurately. From settler attire to Native American dress, the costumes play a crucial role in immersing audiences in the 19th-century frontier setting. History enthusiasts will find plenty to appreciate in the thoughtful costume choices that help bring authenticity to this cinematic portrayal of the American West.
1) Handcrafted Confederate Officer Uniforms
The costume design team for "Horizon: An American Saga" paid meticulous attention to detail when crafting the Confederate officer uniforms. They researched period-accurate materials and construction techniques to ensure authenticity.
Each uniform was individually tailored to fit the actor wearing it, just as they would have been in the 1860s. The designers used historically accurate fabrics like wool and cotton, dyed to match the proper shades of gray and butternut tan.
Brass buttons, insignia, and other accouterments were carefully sourced or recreated to match original Civil War-era examples. The team even incorporated subtle wear and fading to make the uniforms appear lived-in and battle-worn.
Costume designer Lisa Lovaas and her team consulted historical records and photographs to accurately represent different ranks and unit designations through uniform details. This level of precision helps transport viewers to the Civil War era and adds credibility for history enthusiasts.
2) Authentically Weathered Union Soldier Boots
The costume design team for "Horizon: An American Saga" paid meticulous attention to the footwear worn by Union soldiers. Their boots showcase the wear and tear of long marches and harsh conditions experienced during the Civil War era.
These boots are crafted from rough-out leather, with the suede side facing outward. This historically accurate detail reflects the durability needed for extended campaigns in varied terrain.
The soles of the boots display appropriate signs of use, with scuff marks and worn edges. Mud stains and faded areas on the leather uppers further enhance the authentic appearance of well-traveled footwear.
Brass buckles and reinforced toe caps add to the period-correct details. The overall weathered look of these boots contributes significantly to the film's commitment to historical accuracy in costume design.
By incorporating these authentic elements, the filmmakers help transport viewers to the challenging world of 19th-century frontier life. The attention to detail in the Union soldier boots demonstrates the production's dedication to portraying the era with realism and respect for historical authenticity.
3) Intricate Beadwork on Native American Attire
"Horizon: An American Saga" showcases stunning beadwork on Native American clothing, reflecting the rich artistic traditions of various tribes. The costume designers have meticulously recreated intricate patterns and designs that were historically significant.
Viewers can spot elaborate geometric shapes, floral motifs, and animal representations adorning garments throughout the film. These beaded elements serve both decorative and symbolic purposes, often conveying cultural stories or personal achievements.
The beadwork in the movie features a diverse array of colors, including vibrant blues, reds, and yellows, alongside more earthy tones. This palette authentically represents the natural dyes and trade beads available during the time period portrayed.
Particular attention has been paid to the placement of beadwork on specific items of clothing, such as moccasins, leggings, and ceremonial regalia. Each piece demonstrates the painstaking detail and craftsmanship that went into creating these adornments.
The film's costume team consulted with Native American artisans to ensure accuracy in depicting regional variations in beading styles and techniques. This collaboration has resulted in a visually stunning and culturally respectful representation of Native American beadwork.
4) Period-Accurate Civil War Sashes
"Horizon: An American Saga" pays meticulous attention to historical details, including the Civil War sashes worn by military characters. These colorful waist-worn accessories served both functional and symbolic purposes during the conflict.
Union officers typically wore silk sashes in a rich golden-yellow hue, while Confederate officers donned red sashes. The film accurately depicts these color distinctions, allowing viewers to quickly identify allegiances.
Sashes were not merely decorative. They often held practical items like field glasses or sidearms, and the costume designers incorporated these utility aspects into the characters' outfits.
The width and quality of sashes often denoted rank. General officers wore broader, more ornate sashes compared to lower-ranking counterparts. This hierarchy is subtly reflected in the film's costume choices.
Some sashes featured tasseled ends, a detail faithfully reproduced in "Horizon." These embellishments added a touch of formality to military dress uniforms.
The film's attention to these small yet significant costume elements enhances its authenticity and provides visual cues that history enthusiasts will appreciate.
5) Realistic 19th Century Civilian Hats
The civilian hats featured in "Horizon: An American Saga" demonstrate meticulous attention to historical accuracy. Men's headwear in the film includes classic bowler hats, which gained popularity in the mid-1800s.
Top hats, a symbol of wealth and status, make appearances on well-to-do characters. These tall, cylindrical hats were fashionable among the upper classes during the 19th century.
For everyday wear, many male characters don wide-brimmed felt hats. These practical choices offered protection from sun and rain, reflecting the realities of frontier life.
Women's hats in the film showcase the evolving styles of the era. Bonnets, often adorned with ribbons or flowers, feature prominently as a popular choice for female characters.
Some scenes depict women wearing small, decorative hats perched atop elaborate hairstyles. This detail accurately represents the changing fashion trends of the late 1850s.
The film's costume designers also included straw hats for both men and women. These lightweight options were common for outdoor work and casual wear during warmer months.
6) Detailed Spanish-American War Military Buttons
The costume designers for "Horizon: An American Saga" paid meticulous attention to historical accuracy in military uniforms. This extended to the buttons on Spanish-American War era uniforms worn by certain characters.
These buttons feature intricate designs that reflect the styles used during the 1898 conflict. Brass buttons display the American eagle emblem, a common motif for U.S. military uniforms of the period.
Some characters' uniforms include buttons with regimental numbers, accurately representing specific units that fought in the war. The buttons' sizes and placement on the uniforms align with historical regulations from the late 19th century.
Eagle buttons on officers' coats show careful aging techniques to simulate years of wear. This subtle detail adds authenticity to the characters' backstories as veterans of the conflict.
Keen-eyed viewers may spot buttons featuring the "US" letters intertwined, another hallmark of Spanish-American War era military attire. These small yet significant elements contribute to the film's commitment to historical authenticity.
7) Authentic Victorian Corsets and Petticoats
"Horizon: An American Saga" pays meticulous attention to historical accuracy in its costume design, particularly with Victorian undergarments. The film showcases authentic corsets and petticoats that were essential to achieving the desired silhouette of the era.
Corsets in the film are constructed with sturdy materials like cotton coutil and feature steel boning, mirroring those worn by women in the 19th century. The costume designers carefully replicated the intricate lacing systems and bust gores typical of the period.
Petticoats are equally authentic, with multiple layers of cotton or linen creating the full skirt shape popular during Victorian times. The film depicts both plain and elaborately trimmed petticoats, reflecting the wearer's social status and the occasion.
The movie accurately portrays how these undergarments shaped the overall appearance of women's clothing. Corsets cinch the waist and support the bust, while petticoats provide volume to dresses, creating the iconic hourglass figure of the era.
By including these historically accurate details, "Horizon: An American Saga" offers viewers a glimpse into the complex dressing rituals of Victorian women and enhances the film's immersive historical atmosphere.
Historical Accuracy in Costume Design
The costume design in "Horizon: An American Saga" prioritizes historical authenticity. Meticulous research and expert consultations ensure that the wardrobe accurately reflects the time period and cultural nuances of the American West.
Consultation with Historians
Costume designer Lisa Lovaas collaborated closely with historians specializing in 19th-century American frontier life. These experts provided invaluable insights into the clothing styles, materials, and construction methods of the era.
Their input helped ensure that each character's attire accurately represented their social status, occupation, and cultural background. Native American consultants were also brought in to verify the authenticity of indigenous costumes and accessories.
Research and Inspirations
Lovaas and her team delved into various historical sources to inform their designs. They studied period photographs, paintings, and written accounts of frontier life.
Museums and historical societies provided access to preserved clothing items from the era. This hands-on examination allowed the designers to replicate authentic fabrics, stitching techniques, and worn effects.
The team also researched regional variations in clothing styles, considering factors such as climate, available materials, and cultural influences. This attention to detail resulted in costumes that not only look period-appropriate but also tell a story about each character's background and experiences.
Material Choices Reflecting the Era
"Horizon: An American Saga" showcases meticulous attention to historical accuracy in its costume design. The film's wardrobe team carefully selected materials and color schemes to authentically represent the 1860s American West.
Use of Authentic Fabrics
Cotton, wool, and linen dominate the costume fabric choices in "Horizon." These natural fibers were widely used during the Civil War era due to their availability and practicality. Coarse cotton fabrics like osnaburg and muslin feature prominently in settlers' everyday wear.
For more affluent characters, finer cotton calicos and wools appear in dresses and suits. Leather plays a crucial role in the film's costumes, used for boots, belts, and outerwear. The weathered appearance of these materials adds authenticity, reflecting the harsh realities of frontier life.
Color Palettes and Symbolism
The film's costume color palette adheres to historically accurate hues available in the 1860s. Earth tones predominate, with browns, tans, and grays reflecting the natural dyes of the era. Indigo blue appears frequently, as it was a common and colorfast dye.
Brighter colors are used sparingly, often signifying a character's status or background. Red, for instance, might indicate a character's association with the military. The muted tones of most costumes contrast sharply with the vivid landscapes, emphasizing the challenging environment faced by settlers.
Challenges in Recreating Period Attire
Costume designers faced significant obstacles in crafting authentic 19th century attire for "Horizon: An American Saga." Their efforts required meticulous research and creative problem-solving.
Balancing Accuracy and Wearability
Recreating historically accurate clothing while ensuring actor comfort proved challenging. Designers had to source or recreate period-appropriate fabrics, which were often heavier and less flexible than modern materials. This posed issues for extended wear during long shooting days.
Authentic 19th century garments lacked modern closures like zippers, requiring time-consuming lacing and buttoning. Costume teams developed workarounds to speed up dressing while maintaining period appearances.
Weather conditions in Utah's filming locations added complexity. Costumes needed to protect actors from harsh elements while still looking authentic on camera. This led to careful layering and fabric choices to balance historical accuracy with practicality.
Sourcing enough period-correct accessories like hats, boots, and jewelry for a large cast presented another hurdle. Many items had to be custom-made by skilled artisans to meet the production's high standards for authenticity.
