Who among us, upon seeing a cowboy hat, doesn't get visions of a man on a horse, or upon seeing a grass skirt do not think of the Islands of Hawaii. These are examples of how a clothing style can depict a people.

The Metis combined the best of the Aboriginal culture with the incoming trends of the Europeans.

Metis Clothing from the fur trade

The costume of the coureur des bois and the fur trade saw the beginning of the Metis style of dress. The Metis combined European and Indian materials and adapted them to their needs on the trail.

  Capote -- all season coat

  Buckskin Jacket

  Assumption Sash

Metis Clothing on the Plains

Metis men were famous for their flamboyant clothing style and outlandish outfits. They usually wore a capote, with trousers that opened at the hip called "culottes bavaloises", big Hudson's Bay Company flannel shirts (usually grey), beaded moccasins, a hat, a beaded pipe bag, the inevitable pipe, leggings and a sash.

  Leggings

  Hats

  Moccasins

  Red River Coats

  Octopus and other bags

  Women's Clothing