Wampanoag


 * Wampanoag Clothing**


 * Return to Clothing**

Women’s leggings covered the top of the foot to the knee and were secured with hand-woven legging ties (small belts) made from cordage. The men’s leggings usually covered the leg from foot to upper thigh and were secured by the same woven fiber belt that held the breechclout. A wrap-around mantle, worn over one shoulder, was another common article of clothing worn by both men and women and all ages. More often than not it was made from deerskin. It was arranged on the body according to the weather, and was often secured around the waist by a belt of fiber.
 * [[image:Native American Clothing.JPG align="left"]]Leggings, worn by both men and women, were called "stockings" by the English observers of the 1600s. The leggings were most commonly worn in the colder weather or to protect the legs from brambles and the bush. They were originally made from deerskin, but after European contact they were sometimes made of wool or other cloth.

Breechclouts were made from deerskin and were worn between the legs with each end tucked up under a belt at the waist, and the rest left to hang down in the back and front of a person. Wampanoag men, women, and female children wore breechclouts although it was reported by the Europeans that the women’s "apron" was longer in the back than the men’s. As time went on and trade with the Europeans increased, wool and other cloth was also used to make breechclouts.

At home and in warmer weather the Wampanoag People usually preferred to go barefoot. During cold weather or in rough terrain, however, Moccasinash were worn. This footwear was made of deer, moose or elk hides (the thicker of these being preferred). The word moccasin is an original Algonquin language word, however its meaning is one foot covering. The correct word for a pair is moccasinash. ||