What Is a Mexican Costume?
Mexican culture is a complex combination of ancient styles of the Mayan civilization and Spanish influences, developed and blended over the years. The cuisine, music, dance and clothing reflect the historical background of the country. Mexican traditional clothing is still worn today at special occasions and in the countryside.
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History
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The Mexican costume combines indigenous and European elements. Mayan and Aztec men used to wear a "maxtlatl," which is a breechcloth worn under a cape called a "tilma." Women used to wear a "huipil" (blouse) and a long woven skirt. The fibers used for clothing were usually cotton, bark and agave. Wool and silk were introduced later by the Spaniards. After the Spanish invasion, trousers and shirts were adopted by men and flared dresses by women.
Men's Costume
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The traditional Mexican costume for men consists of European-style trousers and shirt, worn with a large blanket-like cape called a serape. The serape is vividly colored and has fringed edges. The most outstanding piece of the costume is the sombrero. It was introduced after the Spanish invasion and its name comes from the Spanish word "sombra," meaning "shade." It is worn for protection from the sun and has a wide brim.
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Women's Costume
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The huipil, worn by women, is a sleeveless, colorful tunic embellished with beautiful embroidery. It is worn with a skirt, a "quechquemitl" and a "rebozo." The quechquemitl is a colorful rectangular cloth with an opening in the middle for the head. It is worn over the huipil to keep warm. The rebozo is a kind of shawl, long and colorful, used as a scarf or to carry heavy things. The traditional dress is called the "puebla" and it is worn mostly by women in the countryside. It looks like a long blouse with short sleeves and is generously embroidered. A modern variation of the puebla is the "boho" dress.
Charro Costume
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The charro costume is usually worn by men and it was highly promoted by the mariachi. It was originally worn by horsemen and cowboys and consists of a white shirt, a vest, a jacket and trousers. The vest, jacket and trousers are usually made in the same color embellished with embroidery patterns. The sombrero is again the centerpiece of the costume and it is specially made in the same color as the rest of the outfit.
Folk Dance Dress
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The Mexican folk dance dress is very ruffled and a lot of material is used for it, enough for six regular dresses. While dancing, women hold the sides of the dress and move their hands quickly to give the impression that a whirlwind is tapping the floor. The dress is vividly colored and inspired the modern flared skirts and dresses. It is still used today by folk dancers on stage and during carnivals.
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References
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