To increase durability, seams were placed to minimize stress to the skins. For example, in the parka, the shoulder seam is dropped off the shoulder. On the trousers, seams are placed off the side of the legs. Different cuts of skin were used according to their individual qualities – hardier skin from the animal's legs was used for mitts and boots, which required toughness, while more elastic skin from the animal's shoulder would be used for a jacket's shoulder, which required flexibility. The use of fasteners and closures was minimized to reduce the need for maintenance. Rips or tears would compromise the garment's ability to retain heat and regulate humidity, so they were repaired as soon as possible, including in the field if necessary. Decorative techniques Historically, Inuit have added visual appeal to their clothing with ornamental trim and inlay, dye and other colouring methods, decorative attachments like pendants and beads, and design motifs, integrating and adapting new techniques and materials as they were introduced by cultural contact. The variety of techniques developed by Inuit allowed for a great deal of customization and self-expression in the appearance of garments. Archaeological and artistic evidence since the 15th century documents the evolution of the visual style of garments. Contact with new cultures, as well as the arrival of new materials like cloth and beads hastened the evolution of fashion among Inuit and made the changes in style more evident to outsiders. For example, in the 1920s, whaling ships brought distinct styles of from the Uqqurmiut Inuit of south Baffin Island to the Tununirmiut Inuit in the northern part of the island. Traditionally, trim and inlays were made of fur and skin. Variations in the fur direction, length, texture, and colour created visual contrast with the main garment. In general, women's parkas had much more decoration than men's, although men's parkas sometimes had specific markings on the shoulders to visually emphasise the strength of their arms. Historically, markings on the forearms of served as a visual reminder of women's dexterity and sewing skills. Inuit groups along the west coast of Hudson Bay, as well as the central Arctic Copper Inuit, used narrow inlays of white fur in a way that mimicked women's traditional tattoo designs. Dehaired skin was sometimes used decoratively, as in the Labrador Inuit use of scalloped trim on boots. Textile materials such as braided cord, rickrack, and bias tape were