In Illinois, and elsewhere, Archaic clothing was probably made from animal hides and plant fibers. The amount and type of clothing people wore probably changed with the seasons. Archaic people, especially Early Archaic people who moved relatively often, did not have a large wardrobe. They had to carry all of their possessions each time they moved. As a result, they kept only what they needed.

		Freshwater shell pendant, Koster site, Greene County.
Using a stone tool, an Early Archaic artisan cut out this tear-drop-shaped piece of freshwater mussel. Next, they threaded an animal hide or plant fiber cord through the hole and wore this pendant around their neck.

Archaeologists have found ornaments that Archaic people wore. The freshwater mussel shell pendant shown here is 8,500 years old. It was probably suspended around someone's neck on a fiber string. Middle Archaic people in southern Illinois wore elaborately carved bone pins, as well as beads and pendants made from freshwater mussel shell.