Tango Dress History

The term tango refers to a musical genre and form of dance that emerged in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Montevideo, Uruguay, in the late 19th century. Whether the dance was truly born in brothels is uncertain, however, the tango did originate in lower class districts of the Rio de la Plata region. Because the tango began as an urban phenomenon and not a traditional or folk dance, there is no associated traditional costume. The style of this music genre and social dance form was highly influenced by African culture and the multitudes of French, Spanish and Italian immigrants in these ports. Early tango attire was a reflection of the urban dress worn by the poor and working classes in this region.

History

Carlos Gardel

The tango began as an art form of the poor. The middle and upper classes first encountered the tango via the primary space through which these classes mingled, that is, through brothels. Contemporary accounts refer to "indecent" dresses and vulgar style of the tango dancers. Later, as the tango became a craze in Europe and the United States, tango culture would influence fashion as the dance moved from the slums to the middle and upper class cabarets, dance halls and ballrooms of Paris, London, Berlin and New York.

Men's Dress

Benito Bianquet "El Cachafaz" and Carmen Calderon

Men's tango dress emulated that of the compadrito, or street tough, and is characterized by high-heeled boots, slouch hat and loosely knotted silk neck ties. Famous tango musicians such as Carlos Gardel, who often sported a silk scarf, double-breasted suit and slicked back hair, would later influence male tango attire.

Women's Dress

Tango Show, Buenos Aires. Photo: Jenny Mealing, 2005.

Tango had a huge impact on women's fashion in the 1910s. When the tango craze reached Europe and the United States, women's dress had to become lighter and looser to accommodate the dance moves, characterized by partners in a close embrace, at times cheek to cheek, with legs extending into their partners dance space. "Satin tango," orange and yellow satin, flew off the shelves, and the "tango visite", which designers were advertising by 1913, featured a loose transparent bodice and a skirt shortened to the mid-calf.

Tango Fashion Revolution

The tango became such a huge sensation that it revolutionized women's corset use. Manufacturers responded by making special dance corsets, which allowed for greater ease of movement in the upper body. This stood in stark contrast to the fashion's immediate precursor, the Gibson girl, which featured long flowing skirts and a tight corseted waistline. In addition the jupe-colotte, or ladies pant, came into fashion to accommodate the dance.

Modern Dress

The popularity of the tango declined during the Great Depression and subsequent military dictatorships in Argentina. The tango experienced resurgence under the government of Juan Peron but again declined in the 1950s with the popularity of rock and roll and further political and economic turmoil. The dance experienced a revival in 1983 and again in the 1990s. Modern street tango costume exhibits a nod to the past, if not a literal interpretation, in which men sport double breasted suits and slicked back hair, and the ladies often wear mid-calf black dresses harkening back to the roaring 1920s.