Ladie's Southern Cloth is considered the female counterpart to
Men's Southern Straight. The dance steps are like that of Ladie's
Southern Buckskin, the only difference being that the dress is made of
cloth. The Southern Cloth dancer dances in perfect time with the drum
in a slow, bobbing manner, bending over at the waist and moving toward
the drum with every honor beat. Her shawl sways as she dances, in beautiful
grace.The dress is normally a simple T-dress with an apron of either a contrasting or same color worn over that, at the waist. The apron is fringed, like a shawl, and can be decorated with ribbonwork, to match the dress. Southern style moccasins and leggings are worn, but cloth leggins are also allowed. A shawl is draped over the left arm most often, but can also be found on the right arm, depending on tribe. A leather beaded purse is carried on the other arm, matching the moccasins. (The purse is like that which is carried by buckskin dancers.) A fan is carried, and can be any kind of fan: loose; wing; or flat. A breastplate is worn, short, only reaching to the waist in length. A neckercheif is worn around the neck, and is tied with a conch or abalone disk, or even a beaded medallion. Fur hair drops can be worn, made of either Otter or Mink.
Another style of dress that can be found is like the image to the left. This dress consists of a blouse, a form of ribbon shirt sometimes, and a skirt. The skirt has a wide ribbon applique design that runs down the middle, and around the edge of the skirt. A purse is carried, implementing the same design. Everything else is similiar to that of the other style.
Designs used on Southern Cloth dresses can hold personal or tribal significance,
and the dress does tend to vary from tribe to tribe.