Metis Clothing

Metis clothing originated with the coming of the fur trade and the clothing used by the coureur des bois. The coureur de bois combined Indian and European styles of dress into a new adaptation designed for the fur trade travels.

A most distinctive element of Metis dress was the sash. The first sashes originated in the Quebec village of L’Assumption. From this location, they became popular trade goods in both Quebec and among the Metis in the West. From this origination, the Metis began their own sash creations in the Red River area. As the Metis migrated west and south from Manitoba, they transported the Metis sash with them as a distinctive symbol of their culture.

The typical sash is made of brightly coloured wool and is worn as a wrap around the midsection of the torso. One traditional use of the sash was to keep a coat closed. The fringes on the sash served not only a decorative purpose, but served as extra sewing thread while traveling. It was common for the sash to contain both a hunting knife and a fire bag. When not used as a wrap, the sash could serve a variety of functions from scarp, washcloth, towel, saddle blanket, rope, or tourniquet.

Traditional Metis dress also included three kinds of coats. One was the capote, or capot crait-rien. The capote was a shoulder season garment with containing a hood, and was commonly constructed from a Hudson’s Bay blanket. The other distinctive coat was the buckskin jacket. Many buckskin jackets were produced for sale by Metis women, and included extensive beadwork and fringes. The third design of coat was the Red River Coat. This hide coat design was adapted from the Cree apparel, and included a more European cut, epaulets, and the ever-present Metis beadwork floral patterns, quillwork, and embroidery.

Another article of Metis clothing that was decoratively beaded were leggings. Leggings, called mitasses, were worn over pants and were made of leather or velvet. Their decoration included both bead work and embroidery.

Metis hats caps were also distinctive in their design and artwork. They were often made of either fur skins and/or cloth. Decoration included quill work and beadwork.

Metis footwear often included moccasins, which were adapted from those worn by the Plains Indians. Metis moccasins came in a variety of designs and typically included classic Metis embroidery and beadwork.