Why did Claire’s boots have zippers on them in Outlander?

Photo credit: Outlander/Starz Image acquired via Starz Media Room
Photo credit: Outlander/Starz Image acquired via Starz Media Room /
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When Claire took her boots off in Outlander Season 4, Episode 3, fans couldn’t overlook the zippers. Did they have zippers then? Just why did her boots have zippers?

Outlander prides itself on being historically accurate, especially when it comes to the settings and the costumes. It’s natural for fans to pick up on something that doesn’t quite seem right and in Episode 3, titled “The False Bride,” it was all about the zippers.

I’ll admit, when I saw it I just knew that fans would point out the historical inaccuracy. I admit that I even pointed out to my husband that it would become a topic for discussion and that’s the only reason I really spotted it.

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Sure enough, some of the first conversations I saw in groups was about how clothing didn’t have zippers in the 18th century. The zipper wasn’t patented until the late 19th century.

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Well, don’t worry, the show hasn’t completely lost the plot. Claire’s boots had zippers for one reason and one reason only: They came with her from 1968.

Remember when Claire stepped through the stones and brought some of her modern-day items with her? One of those was a corset with a zipper, something that Jamie likes for ease and poor Mamacita was terrified about seeing. She also wore her own boots, which were the ones she had on during the trek through the woods.

But the boots wouldn’t have lasted, would they? She wore them through a hurricane and they’ve been soaked through more times than once.

Well, Terry Dresbach believes they would have survived everything and that’s why Claire still wears them. We can’t argue with the master, right? She is the one that’s done plenty of research on the matter, so I trust her!

Next. Terry Dresbach explains the bat dress. dark

Did you think the zipper was a historical inaccuracy? Did you realize that they were the same boots Claire wore through the stones? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Outlander airs Sundays on STARZ.