About Wichita Indian Clothing

Wichita Indians were proud people. They took pride in elaborate hairstyles such as the men wearing mohawks and short styles, while the women wore very long braids. They also prided themselves on elaborate tattoos. Despite their bodies being fancily made up, they kept their actual clothing simple.

Wichita Indians made their clothes from the skin of deer and woven fibers. The deer hides were tanned. They made simple clothes that were easy to make and comfortable to wear.

Wichita women most commonly wore skirts, which wrapped around their body. On their chest, they wore ponchos. They also wore dresses. Women’s’ clothes typically covered their entire bodies from ankle to chin in winter months. If the weather was warm, Wichita women wouldn't wear anything on their chests.

Wichita men wore simple breechcloths, or stripes of fabric that covered their groin area also called loincloths. If they were going to war or the weather turned cold, they traded in their breechcloths for leather leggings similar to pants. They rarely wore shirts or anything to cover their chest.

Both men and women wore warm robes made of buffalo in the cold weather. On their feet they wore moccasins made from tough animal hides and furs. In their ears they wore earrings. Beaded necklaces, sometimes with shells, were worn around their necks. A very popular decoration for jewelry and clothing was elk teeth. They would sew the elk teeth onto their clothes and jewelry as well as trade the elk teeth.

A popular Indian clothing choice that the Wichita Indians did not go along with were feathered headdresses. Although they sometimes decorated their hair or clothes with feathers, they did not make elaborate headdresses.