How to Dress for a Mexican Rodeo

The charreda, or Mexican-style rodeo, provides an opportunity for horsemen and horsewomen to show off their riding and roping skills. Most events aren't timed, so horsemanship and skill are rewarded. Precision riding teams perform intricate ballets. Riders prove their finesse with the rope. Horses are equally important. Part fiesta and part rodeo, the event dates to the 17th century. The clothing worn at a Mexican rodeo is elaborate and formal and reflects a long cultural heritage.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Vaquero suit
• Boots
• Hat
• Belt
• Tie
• Serape
• Adelita dress

1. 

   Wear a vaquero outfit if you're a man. The short jacket is worn over tight boot-length pants with a slight flair. Both jacket and pants are decorated with silver studs or embroidery and worn with a colorful sash tied around the waist. Add a guayabara, or cotton shirt, and tightly fitted, pointed boots to complete the costume.

2. 

   Wear an Adelita dress with multi-tiered frills and a very wide skirt if you're female. Add crinolines if you won't be riding a horse. Put a fresh flower in your hair and wear ankle-high boots with a high heel.

3. Purchase a wide embroidered belt if you're not wearing a vaquero's sash. Tie a colorful bandanna or scarf around your neck or wear a bolero tie. Belts and scarves are worn by both sexes.

4. 

   Don a simple broad-brimmed hat with a leather tie under the chin or an embroidered felt sombrero. Headwear is unisex. Throw a serape over your shoulder if you're a man. Women wear a folded rebozo, or a rectangle of colorful fabric that can be used as a shawl or scarf.

5. Put on intricately tooled and studded boots. Both men and women wear boots with jeans and a cotton shirt for a more casual look. The boots can be made from two different colors of leather, or more exotic materials like snakeskin or eel skin.

References

• Weekends at the Charreda

Resources

• Mexican Horsemanship
• Mexican Cowboy Association
• Traditional Mexican Dress