By the late 1800s, cloth leggings and shirts were popular among Cheyenne men. Soon, Cheyenne women began to make their own style of leggings. The women's leggings shown here are decorated with trade beads on the lower leg.

It is said that the beaded designs on leggings were seen in a dream or vision. Striped designs represent the Cheyenne military societies––the Elks, the Kit-Fox, and the Dog Soldiers––who select a young woman to serve as society sister.

"The yellow background in the photograph represents the society colors and the sun. The leggings serve as sunrays. Without sunlight there is no life; without a society sister there is no society. The circle within represents the society's lodge and the place of honor where the society sister sits among her society brothers."
––Gordon Yellowman, Cheyenne chief and curator of Cheyenne Visions II

Society sisters are highly respected, as they play an important role in the society. This respect comes with responsibilities and restrictions––a sister must refrain from having a child during her tenure.

Beadwork is still an important source of income for many Cheyenne women, who make and bead leggings for women of all ages. The leggings are worn for social dancing and in dance competitions at powwows.

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