Child’s Dress

Cheyenne dresses for younger women were made of the skins of deer, mountain sheep, pronghorn, or elk. In contrast, older women’s dresses were made from buffalo cow or upper part of lodge (tipi) covering. Southern Cheyenne women developed the three skin dress. The yoke is constructed of two pieces of hide: one for the front and the other for the back. They are sewn together along the sides and fringed. The skirt is sewn to the yoke. The classic Cheyenne dress has three wide horizontal beaded strips across each shoulder, along the front and back. The yoke is painted between the wide beaded strips with yellow pigment. The hem on each side has rectangular “tabs” hanging with three rows of decorated elements of metal tinklers. The attention to detail in making this dress embodies the Cheyenne woman’s philosophy; “Dress your daughter as you would dress yourself and she will wear it with dignity, honor and respect.”