Overview:
Full Métis dress (leather)
The clothing of the Métis people, like most aspects of their culture, was a combination of both Native and European styles. Their clothing was greatly inspired by the clothing of the French-Canadian fur traders (les coureurs des bois), as well as the Native clothing of the area.
Women:
Typical embroidery pattern
Most Métis women dressed in simple dresses with high necklines. They often wore shawls over their heads and moccasins on their feet. They sometimes decorated their clothing with embroidery or Native beadwork.
Men:
Vest with beadwork
Métis men often wore a short shirt, red woolen cap, deerskin pants, moccasins and a long hooded coat called a "capot".
Métis men also wore a colourful sash around their waist. It was a very practical piece of clothing. It could be used as a rope, bandage, washcloth, towel or emergency saddle blanket. The long fringes could be used as thread. Each colour in the sash has a special meaning: blue and white represent the Métis flag; red represents the hunting flag; black reminds the Métis of their struggle for their rights; and green stands for growth and prosperity for the Métis nation. This sash is still used by the Métis today during special ceremonies.
Métis men also wore a colourful sash around their waist. It was a very practical piece of clothing. It could be used as a rope, bandage, washcloth, towel or emergency saddle blanket. The long fringes could be used as thread. Each colour in the sash has a special meaning: blue and white represent the Métis flag; red represents the hunting flag; black reminds the Métis of their struggle for their rights; and green stands for growth and prosperity for the Métis nation. This sash is still used by the Métis today during special ceremonies.