Luca Fratarcangeli 7B Annunciation School November 29, 2014 COLONIAL DRESS Clothing was a vital part of the American culture and history. Many people from the early colonies arrived with just what they had on their back. Clothing became a main factor in their culture. These early settlers became very resourceful with all of the materials that were available for them. The Native Americans clothing was different depending on the tribe and the climate where they lived. The primary material used by Native Americans in their clothing was made from animal hides. The natives used the hides of the animals they hunted for food. Many tribes such as the Cherokee and the Iroquois used deerskin. While the Plain Indians, who were bison hunters, used buffalo skin. The Inuit tribe, who were from Alaska, used seal skin. Some tribes also learned to make clothing from plants or by weaving thread. All clothes were mainly made by hand. The women made all of the clothing. The early settlers made their own clothing from woolen and linen cloth. The long dresses that the women and girls wore were made from skins of animals, these skins were made into leather. Coats, shoes, hats, and men’s pants were some of the items made from the leather. Old worn out clothes were used for making patchwork quilts and rugs for their homes. Clothing was an essential part in the New England colonies. The type of clothing represented your station of life. For example, wealthy women wore satin gowns. The middle class was different. The men in the middle class wore real simple clothing, unlike the upper class ladies. A linen shirt and a doublet was their main dress attire. The men also wore breeches, also known as pants. In the Southern colonies, women wore petticoats and dresses. Men and boys wore breeches, a shirt and a hat. The clothing in the Southern colonies said a lot Show More
