Rendezvous Glossary

Typical Terms of Rendezvous Clothing

See also:
Typical Terms of Rendezvous Equipment
Typical Terms of Rendezvous Expressions

To aid you in deciphering the mysteries of Rendezvous vocabulary, we have provided the following definition of commonly used terms:

• Breechcloth (breech-klawth): Also known as a breachclout. It is a long rectangular piece of tanned deerskin, cloth, or animal fur. It is worn between the legs and tucked over a belt, so that the flaps fall down in front and behind.
• Breechclout (breech-klout): Also known as a breachcloth. It is a long rectangular piece of tanned deerskin, cloth, or animal fur. It is worn between the legs and tucked over a belt, so that the flaps fall down in front and behind.
• Buck Skins: Leather Shirt, Pants, Leggings and Breechclout.
• Beaver Hat: No! That would be like taking your paycheck and making paper airplanes out of it.
• Capote: Blanket Coat, not need in the summer.
• Coon Hat: Warning, these will roast your brains in any season except during winter.
• Drop Front Pants: Also known as Fall Front Pants. They are pants with a flap sewn in the front. This flap was universally held in place by two or three buttons at the top. No belts were worn.
• Drop Sleeve Shirt: Also known as a Set-In Sleeve. It has a seam at the shoulder which continues around the complete construction of the arm. Both terms are interchangeable. A T-Shirt has a Drop Sleeve design.
• Fall Front Pants: Also known as Drop Front Pants. They are pants with a flap sewn in the front. This flap was universally held in place by two or three buttons at the top. No belts were worn.
• Felt Hat: A hat made of felt with a creased crown that protects the head from bad weather. It has a shaped crown and usually a brim.
• Fustian Rifleman's Hunting Frock: A variety of heavy cloth woven from cotton, chiefly prepared for mens outerwear for cold weather.
• Longhunter: Pull-Over or open front Hunting Shirt.
• Moccasins: A soft leather boot or shoe, strictly one without a separate heel, having the sole turned up on all sides and sewn to the upper in a simple gathered seam. The style originating among North American Indians.
• Native American Ribbon Shirt: A style developed from the European Trade Shirts made of cotton or linen fabric. They are decorated in the same fashion as buckskin shirts but with ribbons brooches, and applique instead of paint, hair and ermine skins.
• Possibles Bag: What ya keep yer possibles in, such as fire steel, caps, wallet, coin of the realm, etc. in the bag or pouch were hung on the bags shoulder strap. Shooting needs were given first priority, kept where they could be found with ease and speed.
• Skins and Furs: Not exactly clothing, but ya may want to have a few on hand just in case. After all what this is what the fur trade is all about.
• Suspenders: Belts at this time were used for holding weapons, not pants.
• Trousers: Pants made of linen, cotton or wool.
• Voyageur's Shirt: Style of shirt worn largely by the French Canadians who engaged in the transporting of furs by canoe during the fur trade years.