The History of Puerto Rico Clothing Traditions
The Puerto Rican climate has for many years been the driving force behind its clothing traditions. For many cultures, a specific color or a particular variety of clothing distinguishes the rich from the poor. In Puerto Rico, the hot sun and humidity make no distinction between the rich and the poor. For this reason, both the poorest field hand and the richest plantation owner wear white in Puerto Rico.
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Naguas
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Before the Spanish came to Puerto Rico, the native men and boys wore no clothing and the native women and girls wore long cotton skirts called Naguas. The skirts were worn without a top and they were representative of each woman's status, the longer the skirt, the higher the woman's status.
Guayabera
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The Guayabera came originally from Cuba, and was designed by Spanish immigrants more than 200 years ago. The shirt, shaped like a jacket and squared off at the bottom is worn with an undershirt as the traditional Puerto Rican dress for men. Eventually, this style of shirt spread throughout the Caribbean and Latin America. The first versions of the Guayabera had four patch pockets for carrying guavas, a pomegranate-like fruit. It was worn primarily by the wealthy with pantalons, or baggy trousers. The formal version of the Guayabera was made of pineapple fiber.
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Women's Attire
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The traditional Puerto Rican dress for women includes Trajes or colorful dressesof African influence. African slaves were brought into the Caribbean by the conquistadors because they supplied cheap labor in the sugar cane fields. Aside from the Trajes, women wear colorful skirts with white peasant bodices and elastic tops that allow them to cover their shoulders at mass and bare them at parties.
Panama Hats
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The Panama hat traditionally worn on Sundays or during holidays, was introduced to Puerto Ricans by the Spaniards. The inspiration for the modern Panama hat came from the natives of Ecuador. When the Spaniards landed, they noticed the natives wore straw hats that covered the ears and neck, they named these hats toquillas or little headdresses. The hat has been modified several times evolving into the wide-brimmed version seen today.
Modern Attire
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Today the Puerto Rican climate still dictates fashion as it requires light colors and breathable fabrics. Lightweight cotton and linen clothing is most appropriate for both casual and business gatherings in Puerto Rico. Synthetic fibers are not frequently used because they do not breathe well.
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References
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- Photo Credit hotel room old san juan puerto rico image by robert lerich from Fotolia.com
