What did a voyageur wear?

Voyageur attire generally consisted of a linen or cotton shirt, a pair of mitasses , a wool cap, moccasins and a hooded coat for cold weather. While voyageurs developed their own styles, they began their service with much the same attire.

What is the purpose of the sash on a voyageur’s coat?

Some items from the voyageur’s survival kit have become symbols of his identity: The sash is essential to the voyageur’s clothing kit. Other than holding his coat closed around the waist, historians also believe the sash provided back support during portages. At first, people called it a ceinture à fleche.

What did the Mangeur de lard wear?

Typical clothing of the mangeur de lard Because of frequent contact with water, voyageurs required quick-drying garments. Cotton, linen and wool were the fabrics of choice rather than animal hides. Voyageur attire generally consisted of a linen or cotton shirt, a pair of mitasses, a wool cap, moccasins and a hooded coat for cold weather.

Why did the Hommes du Nord wear cloth?

Clothing was a way for a voyageur to display his wealth. The better-paid voyageurs, such as the hommes du nord, tended to be more flamboyant in their dress. Also, because of their closer ties with Native peoples, the hommes du nord were more likely to adopt Native styles of clothing.