Prehistoric evolution

[Torchwatch]

The earliest human and pre-human clothing may have been ponchos and kilts made from animal furs to keep out the cold of an ice age.
Then a piece of clothing was developed that defined and was defined by the human form. Possibly made from a long strip of tree bark the first loincloth thongs were wound around and below the body and tied off at the ends.
The Japanese were still wearing the fundoshi thong loincloth during WW2 as underwear and swimwear.
The technology used in winding a loincloth around the body is the same technology used by pioneers to build structures out of wooden poles and staves. Once you can tie a square, diagonal and sheer lashing you can build shelters, tents and houses. You can build derricks (a small crane), rafts and rope bridges. You have the basics needed for construction, science, communication and trade. You are becoming human.

The next development was the ability to drill, to make holes. First in clay beads before they were fired so they could be worn on a string, the holes drilled in shark and bear teeth so they too could be worn on a necklace. Then someone drilled a hole in a long thin fish bone and crated the sewing needle. With the sewing needle warm and waterproof boots and proper clothes could made. With warm and waterproof boots and clothes the early modern humans could advance further North then the cold adapted Neanderthals who became extinct.
With animal skins sewn together and green branches lashed together with cord, corracks could be built that could sail the oceans. A combination of a drilled needle and pioneering.

When you drill into wood you can join logs with pegs or dowels, your houses and boats become stronger and more permanent.

All this starts when you try to wrap a length of tree bark around your loins.