Outlander Costumes (Dress Designs, Tartan, Knitwear)

In this post, you will learn about the Outlander costumes and how the knitwear seen on the show has inspired so many people to get the needles out.

Starz’s Time-Traveling Outlander is a worldwide phenomenon that took the world by storm.

It began in 1991 with Diana Gabaldon’s first book, Outlander, and continued with Outlander, the TV show.

The eight-book series and the five-season TV series tell the wondrous love story of Claire Randall (Caitriona Balfe), a 1940s modern woman, and Jamie Fraser (Sam Heughan), an 18th-century Scottish soldier.

World Outlander Day

Claire Randall time travels through The Stones to 18th century Scotland where she meets young Jamie Fraser, and that’s how their story starts. 

A story that includes war, politics, marriage of convenience and everything you didn’t know you needed. 

We follow Claire and Jamie to Scotland, to France, to 1970’s Boston, and in 1779’s North Carolina. 

And while Claire’s and Jamie’s star-crossed love story is one of the main reasons both the show and the books were such a hit that there is a World Outlander Day on June 1st (the day that Diana Gabaldon published her first Outlander book).

A little bit more about the Outlander world 

If you are watching or reading Outlander for the first time, get ready for a long ride!

It is a captivating historical drama series that follows the story of Claire Randall (Claire Fraser), a British Army nurse from World War II who is mysteriously transported back in time to 18th-century Scotland. 

As she navigates this new and dangerous world, Claire becomes entangled in the lives of the Highland Scots and forms deep, life-changing relationships. 

The series blends romance, adventure, and rich historical detail, highlighting the cultural and political turmoil of the time. 

With its stunning landscapes of the Scottish Highlands, compelling characters, and intricate plot, “Outlander” weaves a tale of love, resilience, and the struggle for survival across centuries.  

Outlander Costumes

There is another reason behind Outlander’s big success, and this is the fantastic costumes. 

While watching a period movie or show, one of the main points is the costumes. 

Outlander does costumes amazingly; every piece is beautiful and unique and tells a small story about the character wearing it. 

How Accurate Are The Outlander Costumes?

There are some costumes that are accurate which include the costumes seen in season 1 where the period is set in 18th Century Scotland.

During that first season, the costume’s colors took inspiration from the landscape, with women wearing tight corsets and bum rolls underneath their skirts, which were commonly used in the 1700s.

Jamie wears his kilt accurately, laying it down, then lying on top of it and rolling himself up.

Jamie also wears a tam which is a woolen hat of Scottish origin, this looks like a grey beret worn slouched over on one side.

As it happens in many period movies and TV series some modern characteristics will sneak their way in.

Designed in seasons 1- 4 by Terry Dresbach

The genius behind the costumes is designer Terry Dresbach who is actually married to the Outlander producer R.Moore and an avid Outlander book fan even before she knew him. 

Terry Dresbach said in many interviews that they had very little time to prepare the costumes (7 weeks!) and while researching there was not a lot of information available on 18th century Scottish fashion and assumptions had to be made on what was worn.

Ultimately, we had to make certain assumptions, having screwed ourselves by insisting on doing this the right way. Scotland was a modern enlightened country in the 18th century, an ally of France. Most of Europe followed fashions set by France, adapting them for their cultures and climates. We tried to do that for Scotland. We interpreted the silhouette in heavy wool. People still live in wool in Scotland. Keeps you warm and dry.

T. Dresbach said in her interview with frockflicks.

Claire’s wedding dress from Season 1

Many costumes stand out on the show; one of them is Claire’s amazingly stunning wedding dress, which was made to look beautiful in candlelight. 

The leaves and acorns on the front were hand-embroidered with metal strands, and there was paper-thin shaving on micro rocks sewn on the skirt of the dress so the dress would sparkle in the candlelight. 

Claire’s red dress worn in season 2 in France

Another unforgettable costume is the red dress that Claire wears on the French court, which is one of the most vibrant dresses worn on the show, and the modern touch on the cleavage makes it one of the most iconic dresses. 

Inspired by the 1940’s Dior silhouette, Terry Dresbach has said that the dress was created with 15 yards of duchess satin.

The actress who plays Claire, Catriona Balfe says that she helped design the dress, making it unique as it blends 18th-century french fashion and Claire’s modern 1940’s style. 

The blend of the different time period fashions not only creates a beautiful gown that no viewer will forget, but it’s also a great nod to the show’s time travel aspect.

 Claire is a modern 20th-century woman. 

An interesting reinvention of a classic Dior from the late 40s. The New Look has been reinterpreted so many, many times.

Terry Dresbach

Brianna’s wedding dress in season 5

Also, an iconic dress is Brianna’s wedding dress by Trisha Biggar (costume designer for season 5). 

While the dress isn’t historically accurate, it blends many periods that make it perfect for Brianna, a time traveler. 

The dress’ embroidered orange blossoms was inspired by the bohemian vibe of the 60’s and 70’s, it also has embroidered Scottish Thistles.

It’s a cotton and silk gauze over a very fine silk taffeta, I used a variety of different photos for inspiration.

Trisha Biggar

What type of kilt does Jamie wear in Outlander?    

In the TV series “Outlander,” the character Jamie Fraser, played by Sam Heughan, typically wears a traditional Scottish kilt that represents his Highland heritage. 

The kilt he wears is often depicted in the Fraser clan tartan, which consists of a pattern of green, white, red, and blue colors. 

This tartan is historically accurate to the period and clan that Jamie belongs to in the story. 

Additionally, Jamie’s kilt is styled in the manner of the 18th century, featuring pleats and a belted plaid that is wrapped and draped over the shoulder, adding to the authenticity of his character’s attire.

What tartan is used in Outlander?    

In the TV series “Outlander,” several custom-designed tartans are used to represent the different clans and characters, ensuring historical accuracy and authenticity. Some of the key tartans featured include:

1. Fraser Tartan: This tartan is worn by Jamie Fraser and members of the Fraser clan. It is a custom design specifically created for the show, reflecting the historical colors and patterns suitable for the 18th century.
2. MacKenzie Tartan: This tartan is worn by members of the MacKenzie clan, including Dougal and Colum MacKenzie. Like the Fraser tartan, it was custom-designed for the series to match the period’s aesthetics.
3. Murray Tartan: The tartan worn by the Murray clan, which includes characters like Murtagh Fitzgibbons, also follows a custom design, keeping in line with the show’s commitment to historical detail.

Outlander Fashion Through Time and Seasons

Apart from the Scottish costumes and fashion we discussed in detail, we get a glimpse of different fashions in different time periods and places. 

The second season takes place in France where we see corsets lace-up bodices in bright colors very unlike the earthy tones of Scotland.

When Claire returns back to her own timeline and resumes her life with Frank we get a glimpse into modern fashion, more specifically 1960s Boston fashion.

In the later seasons, you see the characters moving through continents and time. 

Boston

In “Outlander,” the 1960s Boston (United States) fashion reflects the era’s distinctive style, characterized by classic, elegant, and tailored looks. 

Claire’s wardrobe includes sophisticated dresses with fitted waists, A-line skirts, and bold patterns typical of the period. 

She also wears sleek, structured suits and stylish coats that emphasize the professional and progressive atmosphere of the time. 

Accessories such as pearls, gloves, and handbags complete her polished look, highlighting the fashion-forward yet conventional aesthetic of the 1960s.

North Carolina 

When the Frasers settle in North Carolina during Season 4, the storyline shifts to their life on Fraser’s Ridge. 

This period is marked by the rugged frontier lifestyle of the 18th century. 

The costumes reflect this setting, featuring practical yet period-appropriate attire. 

Claire wears simple yet durable dresses, layers of linen skirts, aprons, and shawls suitable for pioneering life, while Jamie dons rugged, utilitarian clothing, including colonial jackets, waistcoats, breeches, and sturdy boots. 

The costume design captures the essence of colonial America, emphasizing functionality while retaining the era’s historical authenticity.

Not all colonial costumes of North Carolina are completely accurate. 

A lot of times, the outfits stray a little. 

For example, Claire’s coat in season 6 is time accurate, but it was worn by men. 

But that doesn’t mean it’s not accurate character-wise. 

Claire is, at her core, a modern woman who, through all timelines, especially in her life after Scotland, has spent her time studying and working in a male-dominated field. 

Claire wouldn’t hesitate to wear a man’s coat to keep her warm.

In a way, these little inaccuracies are a nod to her hard work and a better way to understand her story. 

Highlands in the 80s

Brianna and Roger’s time travel back to the future, and the next time we see them again, they are in the Highlands in the 80s, living with their two children. 

Their costumes during this period reflect the fashion of the 1980s, with Brianna often seen in practical, casual clothing like jeans, skirts, sweaters, and plaid shirts, while Roger wears classic 80s attire such as denim, button-down shirts, and jackets. 

But for a lot of viewers, these 80s might feel a little different. 

I think a lot of people will say, ‘Oh, that’s not the ’80s I know. People have to remember, this was the 1980s in the Highlands, which is going to be a bit different from the 1980s in, say, Los Angeles. But we did push the envelope a little bit with hairstyles and clothing, because we wanted that to pop.

said Executive Producer Maril Davis in her interview for Elle magazine

Outlander Knitwear 

In addition, there is another way Outlander costumes took the world by storm: its fantastic collection of knitwear. 

Claire and Brianna, the show’s leading ladies, and the rest of the characters wear beautiful knitted pieces that the knitting community loves.

They start recreating and getting inspired by these pieces.  

There are so many pieces worn, like fingerless gloves, hats, shawls, capelets, cowls, and the iconic blue cardigan that Claire wears in the season 5 finale. 

The knitwear served a great purpose

Terry Dresbach said in interviews that the knitwear was actually needed in the making of the show and that while Hollywood demands cleavage, the first series was filmed in a “cold and drafty” castle. 

The actors and actresses would actually be freezing, so they needed the warmth that the shawls and wraps could offer. 

Dresbach also said that due to the little time they had for production, they contracted local Scottish knitters to make some of the pieces and bought many of them from local Etsy sellers. 

I want the Scottish artisan’s perspective, they’re descendants of the knitters on our show.

T.Dresbach

Knitting as part of Scottish history 

Scotland does have a tremendous history when it comes to knitwear, as knitting reached Scotland in the 15th century and became a source of income for many people. 

While now most people treat knitting as a hobby, back then, it was mainly done by men and was considered a necessary skill and by the 17th/18th century the knitwear trade was flourishing, and it was an occupation for a lot of people. 

So while some of the knitwear worn as part of the Outlander costumes looks a bit more modern, like Claire’s chunky cowl from season 1 and Brianna’s capelet worn in season 4, they never overstage the costumes or take away anything from the story. 

Modern details give the knitwear a welcomed update

Even more, they tie in with Scotland’s knitting history, and even more so with the fact that Claire is a time traveler.

All the modern details of the show make it even better. 

Outlander costumes inspired so many people to make their own versions of the knitwear, including me. 

I love all the knitted pieces shown in the series and always feel inspired to try and recreate them.

The Outlander Knitting Pattern Collection

You can see all of the Handy Little Me Outlander knitting patterns here, including well-recognized shawls (like the Claire’s Rent Shawl Knitting Pattern and the Outlander Carolina Shawl Pattern), Outlander Claire’s Blue Cardigan Knitting Pattern from season 5, arm warmers, fingerless gloves, berets, and cowls. 

There are patterns for all skill levels, from beginner to intermediate. 

You can also check out the Outlander ebook collection, where you will see Outlander pattern pdf ebooks that you can purchase to download and print out.

Outlander Crochet Patterns

Immerse yourself in the timeless charm of ‘Outlander’ with our captivating crochet patterns inspired by the beloved series.

From Claire’s iconic capes to intricate shawls, each pattern is designed to transport you to the rugged landscapes of the Scottish Highlands.

Perfect for fans and crochet enthusiasts alike, these patterns blend historical elegance with modern crafting techniques, allowing you to create stunning, wearable tributes to your favorite characters and moments from ‘Outlander.

View the Outlander crochet patterns here.