While browsing around the ‘net, I found this great site that gives advice for folks on choosing a persona for the buckskinning hobby.
Here are some highlights:
One of the most popular characters in the U.S. is the American Mountain Man or ‘buckskinner’. Such a look is characterized by a complete wardrobe made from buckskin, usually in an Indian style—war shirt, breech-clout, leggings, moccasins, etc., with a fur hat and lots of quillwork or beadwork.
This look tends to be what people can drift into when they first get into living history, especially since we get much our information from the States.
There is nothing wrong with depicting a mountain man. Just remember that mountain men were American free trappers, (not traders, part of the reason the Indians hated them so much), and they date to the 1830’s. Any mountain man who successfully evaded the Blackfoot and their allies and made it as far north as Rocky Mountain House or Fort Augustus with his load of furs would doubtless become a major celebrity — as far as I know, none of them even tried.
In general, traders in the Northwest did not ‘go native’ or even wear native dress, as this quotation from the Mandan journal of Mr. Charles McKenzie (July, 1806) illustrates :
‘I heard my name called at the door of the lodge by a voice which was familiar, and enquiring if I was within. I hastened to the door, dressed as I was in the Indian costume, and was much surprised at seeing Mr. Charles Chabollez, [Jr.], Mr. Alexander Henry [the younger], and Mr. Allen Macdonel [sic], accompanied by three men. Their first salutation was a reproach at my dress…’ (cited in Henry, 346)
Now granted, this site is geared towards Canadian reenactors, but what a great resource.