About Apache Indian Clothing

Apache Indians are a strong group of Native Americans. They are known for their skills, including war tactics, as well as bead making. One thing Apache Indians did well was making clothing. Their clothes were simple, but kept them warm in the winter and cool in the summers.

Both men and women of the Apache Indian tribes wore clothes made primarily from the hide of deer. The hide of the deer was first soaked in a bath of water in order to soften it. Once the hide became damp, it was stretched. When the hide reached a consistency the Apaches Indians liked, it was made into clothes.

Women of the Apache Indian tribe wore dresses and skirts. Their clothes were made from simple patterns. Sometimes the women would fringe their outfits at the bottom or sleeves. They even added a range of beads or other decorations to their garments. On their feet they wore moccasins, also made from deer hide. The moccasins were made from a rougher deer hide and often from other animal skins and furs as well.

Apache Indian men typically wore breechcloths, or strips of deer hide that covered only the groin area. They also had the choice of wearing a knee length shirt similar to a dress. Their clothes, especially war clothes, were decorated in beads. Stripes of deer hide were wrapped around an Indian man's head that resembles a bandana or sweatband. On their feet they wore moccasins. Moccasins could either resemble a shoe or slipper, or cover their feet and shins like a boot.

In the 1800s the Apache Indian tribes took on some of the Plain's Indian tribes clothes. This included feathered headdresses, as well as, painted faces.

Eventually Apache Indian tribes adopted the typically dress of the Mexican culture. Women wore long calico dresses made from cotton in a range of colors. Men wore pants and shirts, also made from cotton. Some men wore vests.