Native American Day 2021 - Fashion Feature


In honor of Native American Day, we want to feature this elegant example of native inspired formalwear without appropriation. Native fashion includes a wide range of designs for women, men, and children. Native dresses consist of several beautiful designs, which are also worn by women of other national groups. Because there are several Native American tribes living within the United States, there are many different types of Native dresses. Each tribe has its own unique style of dress, which helps identify individuals of another tribe.
 

Since the colonization of the First Nation, their style of dress has slightly changed. For example, women and young children can choose one-piece or two-piece dresses. Because Native Americans have several festivals and celebrations throughout the year, there is also a variety of clothing intended for ritual ceremonies and formal wear. Formal dresses include bonus accessories such as a headdress, beadwork, embroidery, etc.

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The material used to design Native clothing may vary. The Native Americans living in warmer climates handcrafted dresses using a variety of cloth materials. On the other hand, Natives residing in northern states typically crafted dresses from animal skin. The thicker material was perfect for keeping them warm.

 

 

The majority of Native Americans have begun wearing traditional American garments. However, quite a few have chosen to remain close to their roots.

Featured Photos by Bethany Yellowtail, a vibrant, elegant melding of classic style and the staples of her Native upbringing. It's bigger than fashion.

Her endgame is to create a space where Native designers thrive, and where support, appreciation and respect for their craftsmanship overtakes appropriative efforts to slap a few feathers and beads on an outfit and call it "Native-inspired." The richness and diversity of indigenous artisanship deserves to be seen, she says. Native artists deserve to have their own work bought, not appropriated without context or recognition of the original cultures from which it came.

 

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