What is Modern Mexican Fashion?
This guideline explains what MEXI is. Clothing means and what we strive to achieve in our brands. Here’s what those three words mean to us.
The origins of traditional Mexican fashion date back to ancient times. Mexico had an established culture before the Spanish conquered it. People worked hard to create their clothes using intricate patterns and inherited techniques. Original colors were derived from flowers and plants in the area. They have always been associated with a particular community or the representations of their Gods.
Modern Mexico Fashion Trends
Mexican Clothing
Modern Mexican dress is similar to other developed countries. It has many similarities with popular styles and garments around the globe. But, Mexico’s deep cultural roots make it possible to create unique outfits that are not found anywhere else.
Traditional Mexican clothing blends European and native elements. The most popular fibers in the country are cotton and bark, agave, and wool (introduced later by the Spanish).
In the past, Mexican clothes were dyed with natural ingredients from local plants. However, aniline dyes arrived from Europe and became the first choice for dying.
Their influences influenced the Europeans who arrived. Everyday attire was now made up of boots, suits, and formal shirts. However, colors were not lost; artisans started using acrylic paint from the other side. This was the beginning of a globalized sense of fashion.
The effects of globalization on Mexican fashion are more apparent than ever. Traditional Mexican clothing from pre-colonial times is almost gone. But has it really? Its legacy can be found everywhere. Mexico’s new clothing brands are designed by young people and incorporate the traditional color, technique, and artisan patterns. This makes Mexican fashion so unique: the complex combination of Mexican tradition with global trends from the United States and Europe.
Mexican fashion is a fusion of traditional Mexican and modern-globalized designs. These designs can be used anywhere globally, but they must always be remembered where they came from.
Serape Fashion
The Serape can be found in the area between blanket, Poncho, and shawl. The Serape was initially worn by shepherds and farmers in the highlands of the country. It was made with dark browns and grays from fleece or wool. Serapes are now available in many brightly colored options due to the growing popularity of tourists.
Many tourist-oriented designs have multiple colors and designs that resemble Mayan culture. This is likely because many Serapes are hand-woven by Mayan families.
Baja Jacket Fashion
The Baja Jacket, popularized by California’s hippie/surf subculture, symbolizes strength and courage for all surfers.
Baja Jackets are now very popular in the United States. However, their roots can be traced back to hand-woven Mexican clothing in the early 20th Century. Baja Jackets are similar to Serapes and come in intricate and striped patterns. These jackets are made of wool, cotton, or polypropylene and come in softer colors like reds, greens, and grays.
China Poblana Fashion
The China Poblana, most common in the late 1850s and early 1900s, was a combination skirt, shawl, and blouse that flatters a woman’s feminine features. Named after Puebla in Mexico, the China Poblana is a style of Mexican clothing that originated from Puebla. The inclusion of the Chinese word in the title is, however, still controversial.
It isn’t just the name that draws controversy. Many women of the upper classes were ridiculed when the Poblana was introduced. Traditional clothing was not appropriate at the time.
Huarache Fashion
The Huarache sandal is a sandal that was born in Mexico’s early tribal groups. It was initially a simple, leather-woven sandal that could be found all over Southern Mexico. However, it evolved into more protective footwear.
In the 20th Century, the traditional Mexican sandal saw a revival. It was popularized and made from rubber tires and cloth in poor communities. Modern Huarache sandals can still be handmade in Mexico from expensive leathers, but they are pretty costly, reaching $100. The Huarache style has been adopted by many companies.
Pointy Boots from Mexico Fashion
Although they are called “Tribal Boots” despite their humorous title, Mexican Pointy Boots (also known as Tribal Boots) are a popular addition to many Mexican men’s parties and traditional wardrobes. These boots are popular in comedy sketches and nightclubs, but Pointy Boots don’t seem very common at work. These boots can be up to three feet long, and that’s a good thing.
Charros Fashion
Charros, which are the Tribal Boots’ reserved cousin, is at the opposite end. Charro Boots, a traditional boot style, resemble stereotypical cowboy boots but are typically half the height.
The origins of Charro-style shoes can be traced back to the Mexican upper-class, who invented the low-cut boots. Modern Charros aren’t just for Mexican nobility. They are often seen in rodeos or horseback tournaments, paired with colorful clothing.
The Sombrer Fashion
The Sombrero is perhaps the most well-known piece of traditional Mexican clothing. The Sombrero is a tall, wide-brimmed hat that protects one from the sun’s harmful rays. Sombreros were once reserved for cowboys (vaqueros), mariachis, but they are now worn by many people and have influenced many hats, including beanies and baseball caps.
Aztec Clothing Fashion
Aztec clothing was loose-fitting and often colorful in ancient Aztec times. Part of the extensive trading network was responsible for the wide range of colors. Aztec women learned to weave by hand in their teens. They primarily used cotton and Hayate fiber.
Ichcahuipilli Fashion
This Mesoamerican form of military armor was made up of several layers of thick braided cotton. Usually strengthened with brine, it was composed of multiple layers. An Ichcahuipilli is a powerful tool that slows down and stops arrows.
Rebozo Fashion
The Rebozo, an Aztec cloak from the ancient Aztec period, is the modern version of the Tilmatli. The Rebozo is more reserved than its predecessor, and unlike the Tilmatli, should be worn with clothing rather than by itself. This unique item can be used to make many different types of garments. A Rebozo can be used as a shawl or blouse, shroud, or cape by simply folding it, tying it, or orienting the item differently.
Huipil Fashion
These traditional tunics, known as ornate tunics, date back to Central American indigenous women. A Huipil can be found with intricate ribbons and lace.
Ponchos Fashion
The Poncho is another iconic piece of clothing that has its origins in Central America and South America. The Poncho was first used in 500 B.C. before Spanish colonization. Ponchos were initially made of wool or fleece and were meant to keep wearers dry and warm in even the most extreme weather conditions. They are now a necessity in warmer climates due to their exceptional efficiency.
While most Ponchos are functional and practical, some more costly manufacturers go the extra mile to create fashionable statements with elaborate and unique designs.
