Moccasins in the 18th Century
- Many of the moccasins made from a single piece of leather could be trimmed with rabbit, a partridge tail or some other piece of trim that would drag behind as the person walked forward. This gave the moccasin a distinctive style and footprint. Members of the same tribe tracking a trail would know who made it by this distinctive footprint.
- Moccasins were designed for specific environments. The tribes of the plains and deserts wore hard-sole moccasins made of two or more pieces of leather. Tribes like the Apache and the Navajo needed protection against sharp rocks or cactus. Eastern woodland tribes such as the Lenapes would abandon the moccasin during the summer; however, during the winter months they would have a fur liner inserted into the moccasin. The added liner would insulate the foot from the damp, cold ground. Other tribes would sew fur trim to the side flaps of the moccasin so that it could be turned up to protect the ankle.
- Soft leathers from deer, elk and moose were used to make moccasins. Thicker hides from larger animals, such as the buffalo, were good for winter or rough terrain moccasins. The tougher hides were also more difficult to sew, however, but because of the thickness the hides also lasted longer and were more durable. Tougher hides were usually used to make a boot-style moccasin for winter.
- The first moccasins were decorated with simple dyes and quills. Towards the 18th century, beads were traded and were used as forms of decoration. The woodland tribes usually wore a floral design on the top of their moccasins. The tribes of the plains often wore fully beaded moccasins for weddings and burials.
- By the late 18th century, the moccasin had laces or leather thongs that wrapped around the ankle. A two-piece style of moccasin became common in the early 19th century. The two-piece moccasin was used by the tribes of the plains such as the Blackfoot.