Of interest to people as diverse as history buffs, people of Native American descent, and even motorcyclists and others who look to Native American clothing for protection and comfort, Native American regalia is becoming popular among collectors and is being redefined by modern Native American clothing designers and artisans.
Traditionally, Native American men wore hide tucked under a belt, and strong leather leggings. While the hide tucked under a belt, known as a broadcloth, is mostly collected by those who prize Native American regalia because of some connection to the Native American culture, leather leggings are not unlike those worn by motorcyclists and others who look to them for protection, and some action sportsmen, especially those participating in competitions or exhibitions, have indeed adopted gear based on Native American designs in honor of the brave warrior past of the Native American people.
And the leather moccasin, common in many variations as a slipper or shoe, and decorated with traditional beads, has made its way into mainstream America, to the point that few realize that their bedroom slippers or their daughters’ comfortable colored and beaded casual shoes are actually modern versions of authentic Native American regalia. Although traditional regalia is highly sought after a more modern form of expression in the form of t-shirts is popping up frequently as a voice of expression across the country.
Today, Native American regalia has been reinvented and redesigned, not only by mainstream or protective gear manufacturers who choose Native American motifs and traditions for strength or eye appeal, but also by modern Native American designers who look to preserve those traditions through producing modern and wearable versions of Native American regalia. These modern reinventions of traditional classics include many updated versions of the traditional skirts and one piece dresses worn by Native American women, sometimes even drawing upon specific tribal designs that disappeared once various tribes began to ally and mix with each other after the arrival of American pioneers.
Then, there is the Native American regalia that is associated with movies and reproductions of historical scenes, such as feathered headdresses. Most such regalia is often manufactured for tourists, Halloween costumes, and movie sets and may or may not be of any historical or cultural import or authenticity. Still, even this type of Native American art reinforces the image of a proud, vibrant culture and history.
American Indian regalia can be as practical as leggings adopted for motorcycle wear, as appealing as beaded, colored moccasins for young girls, as up to date as couture designs based on Native American themes, or indeed as kitschy as feathered headdresses and other tourist souvenirs such as Native American posters.