Final answer:
Native Americans wore clothing made from tanned animal hides, often decorated with beads, paint, porcupine quills, and other natural elements. Changes in attire occurred with European contact, leading to the adoption of new materials and goods. Garments ranged from everyday functional wear to elaborate ceremonial attire.
Step-by-step explanation:
Native Americans wore a variety of garments made from animal hides, such as moccasins, robes, and leggings, which were sourced from animals like deer, elk, and bison. The hides were carefully tanned and sometimes adorned with sacred designs using paint, beads, and porcupine quills. Women played a significant role in the creation of these garments by not only processing the hides but also by adding decorative elements. The Sioux dress, for example, featured elaborate beadwork and leather fringes, indicating it might have been used for ceremonial purposes.
With the arrival of Europeans, Native American attire began to change as they adopted European materials and goods. Metal tools, firearms, and horses, were quickly integrated into their culture. Europeans also misrepresented Native American clothing in art, as seen in historic paintings where feathered skirts were inaccurately depicted as typical attire.
Decoration of clothing with paints, minerals, and animal parts was common among the Plains peoples, who valued artistic expression and the functionality of their attire, which was suited to their nomadic lifestyle and respect for natural resources.