1920s Safari Clothing

Contemporary safari trips are significantly different from the original safaris of the 19th century and early 20th century. Original safaris were elaborate hunting expeditions that could last for months. The peak of traditional safaris came between World Wars I and II, called the "vintage years" by some people. The clothing worn on safari in those years exemplifies the safari style in many photographs and motion pictures. Some of the more practical 1920s safari styles survived.

  1. Hats

    • Safari hats were an essential item in the 1920s. A hat protected the wearer from the harsh sun. Pith helmets were worn beginning in the Victorian era. Made of cork, pith helmets were heavy with holes for ventilation and a wide circular brim. Often they came with cloth to drape out of the back of the helmet to provide the neck with additional protection from the sun. Borsalino Safari hats were similar to pith helmets but were made of heavy, starched cloth. Some hunters wore a decorative, leopard skin strap around their hat.

    Pants

    • Safari pants were loosely fitted in light green, beige or khaki. Some had many pockets, similar to contemporary cargo pants. Bright and dark colors were considered dangerous because animals could spot them quickly in the bush. In the early days of safaris, the clothing was custom made to fit when the travelers arrived in Africa. Pants were mostly long. At times hunters wore shorts for increased comfort in the hot weather, but they were long enough to keep legs free from too much sun exposure.

    Jackets

    • The traditional safari jacket was made of cotton or poplin in khaki. It fell below the waist, had buttons up the front and included a belt. The collar could flip up for additional protection from sun or wind. It usually had four front pockets that buttoned closed. Sleeves were loose with buttoned cuffs. Some styles included holes for ventilation. One safari jacket style was a vest, which was identical to the jacket style minus the sleeves.

    Boots

    • The classic look of the 1920s safari hunter included a pair of knee-high boots, which were available in a variety of styles. Comfort was key in their design. Because safari hunts were long excursions with plenty of time walking, hiking and standing, the boots had to be comfortable and were made using soft leather that usually was brown. Even if they were comfortable, they could weigh up to 5 lbs. because of their height.