The Native American people have been weaving their own dresses for more than 8,000 years. It’s one of the oldest and highly prized crafts until today. Most Native Americans don’t consider their clothing to be costumes; they normally refer to them as regalia.
If you are interested in buying a Native American dress for yourself (or other native american costumes for that matter) or you want to give it as a gift, you have to become familiar with it, more so if you want to become a collector. Go to your local museum and observe the various materials used, the intricate styles and patterns, and the different tribal affiliations and designs. Inter-tribal powwows and antique shows are also excellent venues.
A word of caution though: if you are in search for an article of clothing that is authentic and marked as Native American Indian made, you must go to reputable dealers who only sell crafts, clothing and artwork fashioned by a Native American artisan. Buying an authentic Native American dress is an investment, so it’s wise to ensure that the artisan’s membership has been certified or verified. You can easily find a listing of registered artisans online.
If you are the creative type, the fun thing is that you can craft and design your own Native American garb! There is a wealth of resources online that can give you information on how to stitch and design your very own American Indian inspired dress. Don’t forget to grab your self some stylish native american beads.
Normally, all that you would ever need are 3 yards of your favorite cloth, a pair of sharp scissors, a sewing machine, needles, a thread in a color that nicely complements the shade of your cloth and you’re good to go. Making your very own American Indian dress is not that hard to do, but it does require a dose of patience and an ounce of willingness learn how to do it right.
While most traditional garbs use materials such as buckskin or hide, many Native Americans use cloth these days. Each tribe has their own variations in shape and style, and this is prominently seen in the clothes that they wear.
Traditional American Indian garments like ribbon dresses, buckskins and beaded moccasins are still worn in many tribes until today, most especially during formal occasions.
Headdress, leggings, dance shawl and breechcloth are reserved for religious ceremonies and powwows. Most traditional artisans create and design Native American dresses as a livelihood. It’s also their way of keeping their rich history, spirituality and culture alive.
