New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-05-22
DRESS OF THE ESQUIMAU.
Made bB the WOmen from the Skins
of Northern animals.

The chief material OF the clothing OF the Esqui-
mau is the skin of the reindeer. which IS used IN
various stages of pelags tanning. Fine short
haired summer skins. especially those OF does and
fawns. are used for making dress garments and
Underclothes. The heaviest winter skins furnish
extra warm Jackets for cold weather The white
spotted skins OF the tame Siberian reindeer are
especially valued for full dress Jackets.
The skins OF the white mountain sheep. white
and blue fox. wolf dog. ermine and lynx are
sometimes made into clothing Underjackets CT
elder duck skins often pressed into service
sealskin dressed with the hair is used only FOR
treeches and boots and for those rarely. OF lpte
years drilling and calico have been introduced into
the makeup OF some Of the minor garments
The dress OF the men consists Of loose hooded
frock, without opening except at tho neck and
wrists. This reaches just the hips. and very
rarely to midthigh. where IL Is cut on square and
usually confined by girdle at the waist Under
this garment IS worn a similar OF lighter skin
and sometimes without a hood. The thighs are
clad in one two pairs or tight fitting knee
breeches. rather loose. but fitted to the shape Of
tho leg They very low in front but are much
higher behind. sometimes as high the small OF
the back They are held in place 10y girdle CT
thong around the waist and are usually fastened
On the legs and feel are worn frS+ a Dsjr 20
long deerskin stockings with the hair inside then
is spread a layer Of whalebone shavings and out
a string around the ankle which reaches above the
knee and ends with rough edge covered by the
border with drawstring Just below tho knee. The
boots are OF reindeer skin, with white sealskin
soies for winter and dry weather: but IN summer
Waterproof boots of white WhaleSkin IRE worn.
CNershoeS OF the same material. reaching lust
above the ankles. are sometimes over the
winter boots.
The women wear tight fitting deerskin panta-
looms with the hair next the skin. and outside OF
,hese a similar pair made Of the skins from deer
legs With the hair out. and having soles OF seal
SKIN, but no ankle strings. The women's panta-
ICONS IKE those OF the men, are fastened with a
Slrdle lust above the hips II appears that they
90 not stay up very well, the women are con-
dies IKE some Old sailor
Until they reach manhood the boys wear panta-
looms like the women, but their Jackets are cut
just like those OF the men.
The wel-to-do Esqumaus generally own several
complete suits OF clothes and present a neat APP
ptarance when not engaged in dirty work. The
poorer classes wear suit for all occasions until
u becomes shabby. New clothes seldom put on
tll winter. The outer frock is often worn IN
the islu or hut home, being usually taken or be-
fore entering the
Al present there is no such thing as an Esuuimau
tailor. for the women of each Esquimau house,
mold usually make the garments Of all the MEM
bers of the family. Not only this. but the Esaui-
maus are extremely conservative In the matter OF
changes In the style of their rainent and respond
very slowly to the undermining influences in this
particular which have reached their neighborhood