Traditional Apache Camp Dresses

The traditional camp dress dates back to the late 1800's and was first made of trade cloth.  Apache women traded burden baskets for cotton fabric. Because they relied on what was available, they didn't have a choice in fabrics.  Modeled after the Mexican peasant dress, the traditional dress has a high neck, a full blouse and skirt, and it takes approximately 8 yards of fabric.  Apache women would wear multiple skirts at one time because of their nomadic lifestyle.  Children wore the camp top.

Apache Women, 1905

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Traditions by Selina