What Kind of Clothing Do Peruvians Wear?

Peru's rural people dress in clothing that is a result of a mix of pre-Hispanic and European influences. Decoration methods and colors vary by region, but a few types of clothing remain the same regardless of the slight variations in decorating techniques.

Ajotas

Ajotas, made from recycled tires and worn by men and women, are the traditional sandals of rural Andean Peru. These sandals are inexpensive to make, and long lasting.

Monteras

Peruvian women always wear a hat or "Monteras." One frequently seen type drapes downward and has woven straps decorated with white beading.

Polleras

Colorful skirts called polleras or in some areas melkkhay, provide daily clothing for Peruvian women. Made from hand-woven wool called bayeta, women layer the skirts and often hand-embroider the trim.

Ponchos

Men generally wear ponchos to special occasions, for example, at weddings. However, in some areas in Peru, men wear their ponchos every day. Intricate designs decorate these hand-woven, frequently brilliant red-colored ponchos.

Chullo

Peruvian children usually wear a chullo, the multicolored knitted hat with earflaps. Traditionally a child's father knits the child's first chullo himself. Sometimes in different areas of Peru, people decorate chullos with beads and tassels.

Dancing Clothes

During festivals the Peruvian people enjoy watching traditional dance. Dancers wear silk clothing instead of cotton. One type of dancers, the "scissor dancers," decorate their dance costumes with small mirrors and embroideries of dieties on the back of the shirts.

References

• My Peru.org
• Peruvian Traditional Dress

Resources

• National Geographic: Peru
• Peru People and Preserved Culture