Indian Fashion
Native American fashion has evolved throughout the years. With the discovery of synthetic fibers, traditional garments and accessories made from fur, leather, bone, feathers, and shells have been replaced with modern materials like cotton, hemp, rayon, nylon, and polyester. Sold throughout the country by individual artisans and shops, hand crafted moccasins, headdresses, and fringed buckskin clothing transports buyers to a time where individual style varied from tribe to tribe.
The availability of raw materials largely influenced Indian Fashion. Making use of every part of the animals that they hunted, the Cherokee Indians wore different types of clothing according to the seasons. Men sported pants while women traditionally were clad in dresses and robes. Deer skins dresses accessorized with bone and shell brooches and woven belts were the height of sophistication for women in the tribe.
Cold weather brought the need for heavier garments and that is when fur and woven cloth cloaks were introduced. All members of the tribe wore moccasins created out of soft leather to protect their feet while walking and hunting. Native Americans combated snow by wearing mukluks, a heavy boot designed to withstand extreme conditions.
Feather headdresses were not common in all tribes. In fact, warriors were most likely to wear elaborate bonnets to signify their feats. Misconceptions and stereotypes paint an inaccurate portrayal of Native American life. European styles caused many garments to be reconstructed and to include the elaborate beadwork of today's Indian Fashion.
Creative and showing superior artistry, Native American clothing is typically used in traditional ceremonies and powwows. Making use of the same types of raw materials as their ancestors, craftspeople create exciting replicas out of items that would be eventually discarded by other people. From impressive headdresses to tooled leather belts and purses, a large variety of Indian Fashion items are for sale online and through reservations throughout the country.
