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{{short description|Native American outer garment consisting of a length of coarse woolen cloth (stroud)}}
[[File:Two_Indian_Men_in_their_Winter_Dress.jpg|thumb|right|"Fig. 1. wears the proper Indian Match-coat, which is made of Skins, drest with the Furr on, sowed together, and worn with the Furr inwards, having the edges also gashed for beauty sake. ... Fig 2. wears the Duffield Match-coat bought of the English"<ref>{{cite book|last1=Beverly|first1=Robert|title=The History and Present State of Virginia|date=1705|url=http://docsouth.unc.edu/southlit/beverley/beverley.html|accessdate=Oct 14, 2015}}</ref>]]
A '''matchcoat''' or '''match coat''' is an [[Coat (clothing)|outer garment]] consisting of a length of coarse [[woolen]] cloth (stroud), usually about {{convert|2|m|ft|sigfig=1}} long, worn wrapped around the upper part of the body like a [[toga]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Hobbs|first1=Davy|title=Handbook For Native Interpreters|url=http://www.fttoulousejackson.org/nativeguide|website=Fort Toulouse - Fort Jackson|accessdate=Oct 14, 2015}}{{Dead link|date=March 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Historically, they have been worn primarily by the [[Indigenous peoples of the Northeastern Woodlands]] in [[North America]], who may still wear them as [[regalia]] or for traditional events. The matchcoat might be worn by people of either sex.  It was a common article of trade by the English and French with the peoples of several Nations.

The matchcoat was usually fastened with a [[Belt (clothing)|belt]]; no buttons or pins were used.<ref name=Marshall /> It could also serve as a blanket for sleeping.

The name "matchcoat" is a transliteration into English of an [[Algonquian languages|Algonquian]] word referring to clothing in general.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Becker|first1=Marshall|title=Excavations at the Prinzhof|journal=Bulletin: Eastern States Archeological Federation|date=1982|issue=63|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BB0QAQAAMAAJ&q=matchcoat|accessdate=October 14, 2015}}</ref>

==History==
The original version of the matchcoat was a [[cloak]] of animal skin, often worn with the fur inside during colder weather.  During the course of the 1600s this began to be replaced by woven fabric purchased from the European settlers.<ref name=Marshall>{{cite web|last1=Becker|first1=Marshall Joseph|title=Matchcoats: Cultural Conservatism and Change|url=http://digitalcommons.wcupa.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1027&context=anthrosoc_facpub|website=Digital Commons@West Chester University|accessdate=Oct 14, 2015}}</ref> In 1644 [[Johannes Megapolensis]] wrote {{quote|In winter, they [the Mohawks] hang about them simply an undressed deer or bear or panther skin; or they take some beaver and otter skins, wild cat, racoon, martin, otter, mink, squirrel or such like skins, of which there are plenty in this country, and sew some of them to others, until it is a square piece, and that is then a garment for them; or they buy of us Dutchmen two and a half ells of duffel, and that they hang simply about them, just as it was, without sewing it<ref>{{cite book|last1=Megapolensis|first1=Johannes|title=Account of the Mohawk Indians|date=1644|isbn=9780815604105|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=n0Fv_6esE8cC&q=Johannes+Megapolensis&pg=PA42|accessdate=Oct 15, 2015}}</ref>}}

During the late 1600s there was increasing use of ready-made clothing and a corresponding decline in use of matchcoats.<ref name=Marshall />

==See also==
*[[Belted plaid]]
*[[Draped garment]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Clothing}}

[[Category:Native American clothing]]
[[Category:Outerwear| ]]

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