- Description of the typical costume of Oaxaca
- The typical costume of Oaxaca popularized by Frida Kahlo
- A typical Oaxaca costume without a huipil
- The typical male outfit
- References
The typical costume of Oaxaca, within the great variety that it presents, has a distinctive stamp: the huipil.
This garment of pre-Hispanic origin consists of a fabric folded in half with an opening for the head, the sides of which are generally sewn, leaving room for the arms.
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It is made of up to three pieces of fabric, depending on the width of the garment. Most huipiles are woven on a backstrap loom.
In the capital of this Mexican state, Oaxaca de Juárez, it is not common to see this ancestral tribal clothing. However, it is used by many indigenous women from the Sierra Mazateca, Chinantla, Zapotec, the coastal Mixteca and the Trique.
You may also be interested in the traditions and customs of Oaxaca.
Description of the typical costume of Oaxaca
In reality, it is not possible to speak of a single typical costume from Oaxaca, due to the diversity of styles that predominate, even if the huipil is a common factor.
These can be full dresses or blouses, short sleeves or long sleeves and often have embroidered floral or animal designs, adorned with colored ribbons.
Among the most popular are those of San Pedro de Amuzgos, made with white cotton embroidered with abstract colored animals and floral motifs.
Also those of San Andrés Chicahuaxtla, made with white cotton and embroidered with red stripes interwoven with green, blue and yellow from which colorful ribbons hang.
For their part, the huipil of the Mazatecs in Huautla de Jiménez are adorned with bright flowers embroidered in multiple panels, while those of the Zapotec isthmus are embroidered with geometric designs or extravagant and multicolored flower fields.
The typical costume of Oaxaca popularized by Frida Kahlo
Among the wealth of styles, the Tehuanas, popularized by the Mexican artist Frida Kahlo, stands out. This consists of a huipil and a matching skirt with a floral pattern.
The dark background material is usually a type of velvet with hand-embroidered flowers. The skirt is secured at the waist with ties and has a wide lace band that forms the hem. Under it, a petticoat is usually worn.
Also, it is common for them to add a lace headdress that matches the hem of the dress to complete the outfit. The headdress is actually a second huipil (as for girls) called huipil de tapar.
A typical Oaxaca costume without a huipil
Mixtec women in the warm southwestern coastal region of Oaxaca do not wear huipiles, but often wear a tangle - known locally as a pozahuanco - below the waist.
When these are worn in public, they usually tie a wide apron (thick apron) around its front side. The most precious are fabrics of a light purple color and silk dyed dark red with cochineal.
The typical male outfit
In the case of men, there are also local differences in indigenous clothing, but it is always much simpler than its female counterpart.
For example, in the Mixtec region they usually wear a shirt and blanket pants, and leather huaraches (a kind of native sandals). This outfit is complemented with wide-brimmed hats, made with wool or palm.
References
- Regional Costumes of Oaxaca. (s / f). In What to do in Oaxaca. Retrieved on November 12, 2017, from que-hacer-en-oaxaca.mx.
- Rosensweig, D. and Rosenzweig, M. (2008). Self Portrait in a Velvet Dress: The Fashion of Frida Kahlo. San Francisco: Chronicle Books.
- Henderson, J. (2015). Oaxaca. London: Hachette UK.
- Hargrove, S. (2013). Costumes of Old Mexico Carselle & Poveda Souvenir Dolls. Morrisville: Lulu.com.
- Typical Mixtec costumes. (2016, March 07). Retrieved on November 13, 2017, from milindaoaxaca.wordpress.com.