http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_clothes_were_worn_during_work_in_the_19th_century
Clothing women wore during the Civil War Era
If you were a wealthy women, you had a seperate gown used for managing the servants or slaves and doing housework. Generally speaking it was just a day dress. Good for working, but also kept in well enough condition to receive callers if someone stopped by unannounced. You would keep this clean by wearing an apron. Since this is a wealthy women, it would be an all white, starched apron. This is to keep your skirts clean. You would not under any circumstances leave the apron on if a caller arrived. So for a reenactment, you wouldn't even have to worry about having an apron because visitors would be in and out throughout the day and your portraying a women who would not every be caught laboring her soft, uncaloused hands.
Clothing men wore during the Civil War Era
What the Union Uniforms looked like
Most people assume that all Civil War Union uniforms were navy blue, but that wasn't the case. Some regiments wore outfits that were quite colorful and stylish.
What the Conferderate Uniforms looked like
Men who served the South not only wore shades of grey, but also various shades of brown. Learn more about what "butternuts" wore for Confederate Civil War uniforms.
