Traditional Mexican Clothing for Women

From LoveToKnow Womens-Fashion

A close look at traditional Mexican clothing for women reveals a world of vivid, intricately crafted garments. A conflux of European and native elements, the clothes are made with specifically favored materials and embrace bold colors.

Mexican attire is vibrant and intricately crafted.

The Basics of Mexican Clothing

Native Mexican attire may best be broken down into several categories, including everyday wear, traditional wear and celebratory costumes. Of course, everyday wear is a simplified group of jeans, t-shirts and the like, but even these most Western of clothes are spirited with a Mexican flair and worn in earthy colors. They're also often paired with traditional Mexican accessories.

Traditional and celebratory wear, on the other hand, boast their own unique aesthetic and are noteworthy for their extensive use of color, fabrics and natural fibers. Among the materials used most frequently are agave, bark, cotton, silk and wool.

About Traditional Mexican Clothing for Women

Mexican clothes all share an appreciation for strong color and beautiful craftsmanship. Among the common clothing choices for women are the following:

Huipil

The huipil (pronounced "wee-peel") is a sleeveless, tunic-like garment. As with many other cultures that use garments to identify their specific areas of origin, the distinctive design on a huipil can distinguish the community that the wearer belongs to. The designs may also convey the wearer's marital status or personal beliefs. A ceremonial huipil is one worn by wives of religious figures in the community, as well as statues of saints. Huipils are worn by children, teenagers and adults alike.

Quechquémitl

Worn most commonly as part of a dressy ensemble for a party or other special occasion, the quechquémitl consists of two rectangular pieces of cloth woven to resemble a small poncho. They're made with everything from wool to cotton, and may be embroidered with animals, floral prints and graphic designs. Depending on the woman's community, the quechquémitl may be made with a different technique. For example, in Veracruz the garment is constructed of gauze and is worn on the head instead of on the body.

Rebozo

Rebozos are multifunctional garments, indeed. Typically made of cotton, wool or silk, they are used to cover the head or body (like a shawl), and they're also used to carry everything from small children to market goods. As with many other garments, they bear distinctive designs that convey the wearer's community. Certain colors of stripes or various shades of wool, for example, are indicative of different villages in Mexico.

Blouses

Women who don't wear huipils may instead wear a traditional blouse. Made with basic commercial materials, they reflect the traditional Mexican spirit and are heavily embroidered with colorful patterns, beads and lace, and may be pleated as well. Other common shirts are typically constructed of cotton and bear the same characteristics as typical Western tops. The biggest difference is in their lengths and the manner they are worn: Some are long, others short, some wide, others heavily decorated.

Dresses

Another staple in the Mexican woman's wardrobe is the dress. Dresses are typically loose fitting and covered with intricate hand embroidery. The designs are vibrant and cheerful, often designed especially for certain celebrations. The beauty of many Mexican dresses is in their remarkably easy fit; they're so relaxed that they fit almost any body type comfortably.

Skirts

Skirts are known by various names, including enredo, chincuete, enagua, posahuanco, refajo and more. There are many different skirt styles available; this depends greatly on the wearer's area of origin. Some are worn to ankle length, while others are worn to the knees. Though cotton and wool are still used, more commercial methods of fabrication have been established over the years. Now materials like lace and silk are often added to the mix, adding a new element of design to these already lavish skirts.

Accessories Reign

Traditional Mexican clothing for women is no different from garments of other origins – they also make grand use of elaborate accessories! Depending on what region the woman is from, she may wear ribbons around her neck in lieu of necklaces. Some wear beaded rings and bracelets, while others wear unusual natural materials, like seashells and even fish bones! Most ornaments of this nature have some type of special meaning, and many act as amulets or medallions, either to ward off "evil eyes" or to reflect religious beliefs.

Where to Purchase

If a trip to Mexico isn't on the agenda anytime soon, you can still shop around for authentic Mexican clothing. Visit the following Web sites, both for inspiration if you want to make your own, and to shop to your heart's content!

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