The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1907-10-11
DRESsY INDIAN WOMEN.

DRESSY INDIAN WOMEN.
The average woman who takes Worth
or Redfern for authority on fashion,
would probably be surprised to find
mat though these personages are never
heard of OF the reservations, some
orper colored dalnsels of the plains
give as much time and attention to the
enhancement of their charms as their
circumstances and opportunities allow.
Though these belles-true daughters
of Eve that they are-would cut a poor
figure in modern fashion plates. they
have reached The highest theoritical
ideal in dress, that is, classic simple
ity combined With The greatest utility.
Even tho Greeks We're not more severe
in then simplicity than the Navajos
and Mo1aNes. and these cling no more
closely to classic forms and outlines
than do the Sioux. Comanches, Apaches
and a hundred other tribes, in all of
which may he seen maidens whose
forms forms are as perfectly nodded as
antique statues of Juno, Minerva and
Diana.
\ simple slip. With short flowing
sleeves, cut slightly decollette. reaching
TO the top OF the high laced mocassins.
with a wide beaded belt loosely claspins
the waist: and head covering consist
ing of a bright silk handkerchief or a
grass woven, basket shaped hat, might
be homogeneous in Vanity Fair. but they
are far from unpleasing on the plains.
The color combinations and effects are
always original n sometimes startling
but never in~harmonious. The red race
i'm its use of colors. is the truest of all
races to nature, and there are Navajo
blankets that are more perfect pictures
of an Arizona sunset than any conven-
ton bound artist would dare to place
on canvas.
Every tribe has its individual pet
in the manner of decorating
the person. The Pueblos, for Instance.
devote more attention to the legs and
necks, he majority of women being in
ordinatcly proud of their white deerskin
leggings, With which they pad out their
lower limbs. Around their necks are
coilea string after string of beads of
every color and material.
The Zuni maidens think more of the
hatrdressers art thar that of the dress
maker and spend most of their time at
their coiffures.
The Mojaves have reduced dress to
the elbow sleeve by doing away with
sleeves entirely and lettering the beek-
a-.ioo waist by going waistless.
Inc moro northern tribes have devel-
oped the decorative in dress to a
marked degree. Many of the Indian
1A"AA oAt SUM- W lOOh upon, llelJ
lives OF open air exercise giving them
an ease and grace of movement that
the most adept students of Delsarte and
later fads might covet. Their figures
are straight. supple and u%nconfined,
their long black hair luxuriant. and
color. a blending of bronze and gold
and copper. possesses the u~I1deniable
charm of owing nothing to rouge and
cosmetics.
70 get he best of style and fashion
among the Indians, one must see the
daughters of the chiefs dressed in gala
attire. Not having as great a variety
of gown as the leaders of the smart
set. still such as they have. in costlf-
ness, are no mean rivals of the choices
creations of the metropolitan dress
makers. A buckskin robe, decorated
With elk tooth pendants. may represent
a cash value of anywhere from 81, 600
to $4,000. As accessories to this robe are
worn a collar of elX's teeth and q.
beaded belt from which hangs the kin
of a fox or weasel. In her hand the
naughty princess probably carries a
basket woven of grass or beads. Thus
arrayed the daughter of a chief would
soorn to exchange places with the
proudest of Viewpoints queens of fash
ion.
Her shawl is the most highly priced
portion of her costume and is subiec,
to as many changes in color and de.
sign as The hat or shirt waists Of tho
summer girl. The same dress may do
for state occasions year after wear. but
she must be supplied with the latest
thing in blankets or there will be trou-
BILE in the tepee.
The queen of the reservation spends
hours. eombing, braiding and oiling her
long black hair. finally adding the touch
that distinguishes her as a mi OF
the u~ltra=exclusive set Of the copper
colored aristocracN-a streak of red
paint along the part of her ebony
t%resses.
To prove that, no matter how ia,
from civilization the Indian has beer
thoroughly trained and that this train.
ing has been accomplished by the
eternal feminine. one has but to lift the
flap of a tepee in the early morning
hours to see the quondam terror of this
plains. combing their wife's hair. lacina
their mocassins and performing Other
mental Offices. with as much humility
as that With which the husband In a
fiat bows to the Inevitable and buttons:
his wtfe's waist.
l. A.