Leggings,
worn by both men and women, were called "stockings" by the English
observers of the 1600s. The leggings were most commonly worn in the colder
weather or to protect the legs from brambles and the bush. They were originally
made from deerskin, but after European contact they were sometimes made of wool
or other cloth.
Women’s leggings covered the top of the foot to the knee and
were secured with hand-woven legging ties (small belts) made from cordage. The
men’s leggings usually covered the leg from foot to upper thigh and were
secured by the same woven fiber belt that held the breechclout.
A wrap-around mantle, worn over one
shoulder, was another common article of clothing worn by both men and women and
all ages. More often than not it was made from deerskin. It was arranged on the
body according to the weather, and was often secured around the waist by a belt
of fiber.
Breechclouts
were made from deerskin and were worn between the legs with each end tucked up
under a belt at the waist, and the rest left to hang down in the back and front
of a person. Wampanoag men, women, and female children wore breechclouts
although it was reported by the Europeans that the women’s "apron"
was longer in the back than the men’s. As time went on and trade with the
Europeans increased, wool and other cloth was also used to make breechclouts.
At home and in warmer weather the Wampanoag People usually
preferred to go barefoot. During cold weather or in rough terrain, however,
Moccasinash were worn. This footwear was made of deer, moose or elk hides (the
thicker of these being preferred). The word moccasin is an original Algonquin
language word, however its meaning is one foot covering. The correct word for a
pair is moccasinash.