What Did Warriors Wear?

The daily attire of a Plains warrior was practical, symbolic, and often deeply personal—reflecting not just the demands of the environment, but also spiritual beliefs, tribal identity, and a warrior’s accomplishments. Unlike modern notions of uniformed soldiers, Plains warriors dressed as individuals, with clothing tailored to the climate, the season, and their role within the tribe.

At the foundation of a warrior’s attire was the breechcloth. This strip of tanned buckskin or cloth was passed between the legs and secured with a belt at the waist, leaving the legs free for mobility. In warmer months, it was often worn alone or with simple leggings; in colder seasons, leggings of deerskin, buffalo hide, or even wool were added for warmth and protection from thorns or brush. Leggings were typically fastened with ties or thongs and often decorated with fringe, dyed quills, or beadwork—each design potentially signifying clan, achievements, or tribal affiliation.

Moccasins were essential. Plains terrain varied from prairie grass and riverbeds to rocky ridges, and proper footwear was a matter of survival. Most moccasins were made from soft-tanned deer or elk hide with tougher rawhide soles, stitched with sinew. Some were plain; others, especially those worn during ceremonies or raids, were elaborately decorated with dyed porcupine quills, trade beads, or painted symbols representing the warrior’s deeds.

Shirts, when worn, were often reserved for special use. Daily life in warmer weather required mobility and coolness, so many warriors went shirtless unless conditions demanded otherwise. But war shirts—often made of bighorn sheep or deer hide—held enormous significance. These garments were decorated with locks of hair (sometimes from relatives, sometimes from enemies), painted hands or thunderbirds, and long fringes. Each ornament had meaning: a coup feather for touching an enemy in battle, red dye for blood spilled, or yellow for acts of bravery.

Buffalo robes and blankets provided insulation and identity. In colder seasons, warriors draped themselves in thick buffalo hides, often painted with battle scenes or spiritual motifs. The inside might tell the story of the warrior’s life—his visions, battles, or tribal roles. These robes served both as daily wear and ceremonial garb.

Hair and headdress also held meaning. Warriors commonly wore their hair in braids, sometimes with scalplocks, often greased with bear fat or adorned with feathers. The iconic feathered warbonnet—while widely associated with Plains warriors—was typically reserved for high-ranking men who had earned the right through acts of valor. More commonly, a single feather might be worn to indicate a recent act of bravery, each positioned to show what had been done: knocked down an enemy, counted coup, or stolen a horse.

Paint and adornment completed the look. Warriors painted their faces and bodies with red ochre, black soot, yellow clay, or white ash—each with symbolic or spiritual purpose. Before battle or ceremony, paint became armor of the spirit.

Altogether, the attire of a Plains warrior was a living record. It carried the dust of the hunt, the blood of battle, and the stories of a people whose lives were bound to the land and to honor.

To learn more about the lives of the Plains Tribes, check out the HOKC video linked below. Brought to you only by History At The OK Corral: Home Of History’s Greatest Shootouts & Showdowns!