Clothing Their garments consist only of skins; the women are always clad very modestly and very becomingly, while the men do not take the trouble to Cover themselves. (Jacques Marquette, 1674) Illinois man, woman, and child visiting New Orleans, 1735.

When they first came into contact with Europeans, the Illinois wore clothing made from the skins and hair of bison, deer, and other animals. As time passed and they became more dependent on French trade goods, the Illinois began to replace their traditional clothing with garments made of wool and other fabrics.

Illinois men often wore very little clothing in the warmest months of the year. Sometimes they would wear breechcloths or leggings made of bison hide or woven bison fur, but at other times they wore nothing but their leather moccasins. Women commonly wore knee-length skirts. They often covered their upper bodies with deer-skin cloaks or other garments, but at other times they chose to wear no tops. Children's clothing styles are not well known, although boys probably dressed like their fathers and girls like their mothers. In winter, the Illinois warmed themselves in leather cloaks or robes that retained the animal's fur.