Latin American Clothing
Clothing from Latin America is influenced by both the cultures of indigenous peoples and that of the diverse European colonizers and immigrants who came to the New World. Specific items of Latin American dress can be emblematic of a particular region's customs or even considered representative of a country's national identity. It's also common for this type of attire to reflect the folkloric traditions of distinct groups.
What are the distinctive characteristics of Latin American garb?Although this type of clothing boasts a great deal of variety depending on its place of origin, some of the common characteristics include:
- Colorful: Bright, vibrant colors aren't unusual, especially for the attire worn by a woman. Combinations of bold colors such as sky blue, apple red, lemon yellow, and hot pink are often found on the same blouse or dress. Men's garments don't shy away from this tendency, with rich hues often adorning shirts, belts, and ponchos.
- Embellished: Patterns, symbols, and animal motifs are routinely embroidered, painted, or woven onto clothes in Latin America. Decorations can include the addition of feathers, beads, ribbons, ruffles, and precious metals to blouses, pants, skirts, hats, and outerwear.
Latin America refers to that part of the world consisting of Mexico, Central America, South America, and parts of the Caribbean. Countries with traditional outfits whose influence is seen in contemporary fashion include:
- Guatemala: One of the most iconic garments of Central America is the huipil, a typically rectangular cotton blouse that usually features intricate embroidery or woven patterns featuring floral and geometric motifs.
- Mexico: Worn for centuries by all women in Mexico, the rebozo shawl would let others know the status and social class of an individual, as lower-class women would use cotton rebozos and the more well-to-do would wear rebozos made of silk. These types of shawls can be worn over the shoulders or head in a variety of ways.
- Peru: Alpaca fibers are used to create ponchos, wraps, sweaters, hats, and scarves.
- Argentina and Uruguay: The traditional outfit worn by gauchos, South America's version of the cowboy, includes loose-fitting pants called bombachas, a white shirt, an open jacket, and a sash around the waist.
Latin women's fashions come in all manner of styles, with these being some of the most widespread:
- Embroidered peasant blouses.
- Woven belts and sashes.
- Short-sleeved embellished cotton dresses.
- Shawls and wraps adorned with fringe on the ends.
Some of the most frequently seen pieces in men's apparel include:
- Ponchos and serapes with a head opening.
- Guayaberas, lightweight cotton shirts with straight hems and vertical rows of pleats running down the front and back.
- Knitted chullo hats with ear flaps.