buckskin

Buckskin refers to the tanned hide of a deer, typically a buck, prepared for use as soft leather. The term has strong historical ties to Indigenous peoples of North America and to frontier communities, where deer skins furnished durable garments and tools.

Traditional buckskin is prepared by brain tanning, a natural method that uses the animal's brains and fats to loosen the hide's fibers; the result is a flexible, breathable leather with a suede-like surface. Other traditional methods include bark tanning; modern productions may use oil-tan or chrome-tan processes, which can produce tougher leather or more uniform color but are less closely associated with traditional practice.

Buckskin is used for garments and accessories such as moccasins, leggings, vests, pouches, belts, and drum bags; it can also be used for decorative hides and quivers, as well as various crafts and repairs. The material is prized for its softness, light weight, and natural appearance, which make it well suited to fringed garments and finely stitched pieces.

Color and naming: The natural buckskin color varies from light tan to deeper golden brown. In fashion and crafts, buckskin is used to describe leather with that warm, pale tan color. In horse terminology, buckskin is also the name for a coat color produced by the Cream gene on a bay base, resulting in a tan body with black mane and tail.

Modern context: Buckskin remains valued by artisans and reenactors for its natural look and workability; sustainable tanneries and traditional skills are preserved in many communities.