Navajo dolls facts for kids
Navajo Dolls are not toys! Instead, this term describes a special style of clothing that Navajo women started wearing in the 1860s. This fashion was inspired by fancy dresses worn by women on the east coast of the United States, including important people like the wife of President Abraham Lincoln, Mary Todd Lincoln. Navajo women took these ideas and made them their own, using different fabrics and unique decorations. This beautiful style is still popular today, both for Navajo people and others!
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How a New Fashion Began
In the 1860s, women in the eastern United States wore very full and elegant dresses. These dresses were often made from shiny fabric like satin. Important women, such as Mary Todd Lincoln, the wife of President Abraham Lincoln, and her friends, wore these stylish dresses. Navajo women saw these beautiful outfits and decided to create their own versions. They copied the patterns and the overall look of these dresses.
While the original dresses were made of satin, Navajo women chose a different fabric: soft, rich velvet. Velvet gave the dresses a unique feel and look. They also added their own special touches. Instead of regular buttons, they used real coins like nickels and dimes to decorate their clothing. These coin buttons made the dresses even more special and showed off their creativity.
A Lasting Fashion
The stylish skirts and dresses that came from this "Navajo Doll" fashion are still popular today. Many Navajo people continue to wear these beautiful designs, keeping their cultural heritage alive through clothing. People who are not Navajo also admire and wear these unique skirts. This shows how a fashion idea can travel and be made special by different cultures, creating something new and long-lasting.
