Dressing as the frontiersman and folk hero, Daniel Boone, whether for Halloween, role playing, or for a historical event or reenactment is a popular choice for adults. This rugged pioneer's unique mode of dress was popularized in movies, television and literature and makes for an interesting adult costume.
Authentic or Not
If you plan to dress as Daniel Boone for Halloween you can get away with an inexpensive store bought costume, or put together a quick homemade version. However, if you play the role of Daniel Boone for a historical reenactment of sorts, the costume will need to more authentic. The good news is that a wide range of adult Daniel Boone costumes are available and if you plan ahead, you'll be able to get the costume you want. The main elements needed for this costume will be a fringed shirt and the right hat.
Where to Buy Adult Daniel Boone Costumes
Various types of adult Daniel Boone costumes can be found at specialty costume shops or through online retailers. The price paid will depend somewhat on how authentic you want your look to be.
Amazon
Amazon.com offers an affordable option for Daniel Boone wannabes. Their costume includes:
- Brown pants with fringe
- Brown shirt with fringe
- Raccoon cap
They also offer a Davy Crockett costume that can double as a Daniel Boone costume, however it does cost a little more money.
FantasyCostumes.com
Fantasy Costumes offers the option to buy or rent a Daniel Boon Costume in adult sizes medium or large. It is manufactured by Fantasyland and comes with:
- "Leather soft" fringed shirt
- Tan pants
- Coonskin cap
Make Your Own Daniel Boone Costume
For those who want to take their rugged individualism a step further than the rest why not make your own adult Daniel Boone costume? The basics needed include:
Fringed Shirt
A Daniel Boone shirt should be long sleeved. Suede fringe can be purchased at craft or fabric stores and sewn or glued into place. If you don't want to wear a long-sleeved shirt, you can create a felt vest with fringe to wear over a brown tee-shirt.
Leggings
Leggings can be created by donning a pair of brown overalls and applying the same suede fringe sewn up the side of the leg. The look can also be accomplished with a pair of khaki or brown pants.
Moccasins
Not every costume will go from head to toe, but Daniel Boone wore moccasins, and if you want to do the same you have a couple of options. You can buy moccasins, but if you don't want to spend the money on footwear that will only be worn once a year you can make you own by following a simple pattern.
Hat
For most, no Daniel Boone costume is complete without the raccoon-skin hat. When shopping for your hat, it's good to know that it is also called a Davy Crockett hat. When putting together a homemade costume, this is the one item you'll for sure want to purchase. They can be found online for a variety of prices depending on the quality of the hat or at specialty stores like Bass Pro Shop. If you plan to buy your cap at a brick and mortar shop, it's a good idea to call ahead to see if they have them in stock and always double check that the hats come in adult sizes.
Here are a few online sources to shop for the adult-size coonskin cap to complete your Daniel Boone costume:
Other Accessories
To complete your costume, whether store bought or homemade, you can accessorize with other items carried by Boone. These include:
- Knife
- Powder Horn
- Rifle
- Leather hunting pouch
About Daniel Boone
If you plan to dress like him, know something about Boone and what made him a famous frontiersman. He loved the wilderness and blazed a trail from Cumberland Gap, Virginia to the Kentucky River. When he left Kentucky, it was because it was becoming too populated for his tastes. Boone's life had become larger than life. His life was hard but full of adventure, and the way he dressed makes for an interesting costume. The most interesting fact is that he never wore a coonskin cap. Instead he wore a wide-brimmed felt or beaver hat, ideal protection from the sun and rain, so if you really want to be authentic you may want to forget the coonskin cap after all.
