Every culture has in varying methods depicted the life and world around them, even their history & faith through art. Many times the materials that are used tell about the day to day life of the culture they are from.
Apparel and what is used to decorate it is as much an art as a basket woven to hold berries or fish. Telling the story of the people who created the items as well as those who wore or used them.
This anaylsis doesn't end in historical times. What we wear to and from work is as telling about us as what we wear in the powwow arena.