Traditional Costumes in Mexico

Many clothing items worn in Mexico are variations of more traditional dress.

Mexico is a large country with many different cultures, traditions and fashion preferences. Its diversity stems mainly from the distinct indigenous cultures scattered throughout the country, many of which maintain traditions from pre-Columbian times. Today, most Mexicans dress in typical Western fashion, but it is not uncommon to see more traditional dress in smaller or isolated towns. Additionally, during special holidays and events, many Mexicans wear special attire.

Huipil

A huipil is basically a long, sleeveless square-shaped tunic, typically made of cotton. It is common among indigenous cultures, especially the Mayans and Zapotecs, although older ladies wear them throughout small Mexican villages. A huipil can be a very simple white shirt, or it can be completely covered in elaborate embroidery and bright patterns. Usually, there will be a few lines of embroidery along the collar and sleeves. Today, the huipil is an everyday clothing item very similar to the Mexican blouse. It is even worn in metropolitan areas, though it is likely to be tailored to align with modern fashion.

Quechquémitl

What the huipil is to the blouse, the quechquémitl is to the poncho. The quechquémitl is also an indigenous item of women's clothing. It is essentially two big squares of fabric stitched together on two sides, with the meeting point cut out to form a head hole. The difference between a poncho (also very common in Mexico) and the quechquémitl is that the latter is typically used for decorative purposes. Historically, the quechquémitl was only worn by noblewomen, and typically only during important events like religious ceremonies.

Rebozo

The rebozo is less a clothing item than an all-purpose piece of fabric. It is a long rectangular piece of cloth that usually ranges between one and three meters in length, and is made of wool, silk or cotton. Like the previous two clothing items, the rebozo is worn by women. It can be used as a shawl or scarf. It can also be used as a sling for carrying produce, or even a small child. A non-traditional use of the rebozo is as decoration, for example, to cover an end table.

Sombrero

A very well-know article of traditional Mexican clothing is the sombrero. Though it does not date back to ancient times, it is an important part of Mexican apparel. The sombrero is a large hat, typically with a cone-shaped middle and an extra-wide brim. The sombrero is most commonly found in northern Mexico (as well as in some areas of the southern United States) and is a practical way to create your own shade and hide from the harsh sun. Sombreros worn by farmers and field workers tend to be made of straw, while decorative sombreros, such as those worn by mariachis, are more elaborate and can be made of felt.

Charro Clothing

If something is described as charro, it means it is somehow related to traditional Mexican horsemen or cowboys. A "traje de charro" is the traditional outfit of the Mexican cowboy, more commonly recognized as a mariachi outfit. It includes tight pants, boots, a short jacket and often a sombrero. All these items are likely to be flashy, made with embroidery and tassels.

References

• Mayan Art: Traditional Mayan Clothing
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Trage de Charro

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish