Caddo Clothing: Traditional
Men's Shirts
A digital mini-exhibit
This exhibit, produced by the staff of the Caddo Heritage Museum, features traditional shirts worn by Caddo men. This is the first in a series of exhibits featuring traditional clothing as both material culture and as an art form. Accompanying the shirts in the Caddo Heritage Museum gallery are associated items of regalia, including fans, belts, and jewelry, as well as drums, rattles, and bells. This digital exhibit is designed to make the collections and exhibits of the Caddo Heritage Museum available to tribal members and other interested people who live outside of the area.
Traditional Caddo shirts are distinctive because of the pleating on the front of the shirts, among other things. When seen in person, the pleating on these shirts really stands out. On the example shown here, some of the pleats are accentuated with red and white ribbon. Between the bands of ribbon are numerous little tucks that form vertical pleats. The shoulders, back, and cuffs are also adorned with matching ribbon. Notice the nice button-hole detail on the cuffs where the ribbon is crossed. This is a perfect example of the creativity of individual seamstresses.
Made by Evelyn Kay Kionute
Worn by Bobby Gonzalez
On loan from Bobby Gonzalez
Compare the above short with this example. Many of the features are the same, including the use of two contrasting colors of ribbon and the numerous vertical pleats on the front. However, there are subtle differences that indicate this shirt is older, most notably the placement of ribbon at the arm pits. Having ribbon at this spot is an indication that the shirt is older or is made in the older style. Like any aspect of culture, traditional clothing changes through time due to innovation and individual creativity. No one style is necessarily better than any others, but can be viewed as variations on a theme. Other differences include the type of collar on this shirt and the placement of ribbon on the cuffs.
Made by Stella Beaver
Worn by Tommy Cussen
On loan from Frances Cussen Kodaseet