In the photo linking to this page, a congregation in Mexico City celebrates Mexican Independence Day by wearing traditional clothing. Traditional clothing is very different from modern Mexican clothing. Because of globalization, Mexican clothing is very similar to American clothing i.e. jeans and t-shirts, although some traditional garments are still worn. The magazine below, InStyle Mexico, shows Barbara Mori, a Mexican actress, wearing a dress that could easily by found in America or Europe.
Traditional clothing for women includes a skirt, a huipil (a kind of sleeve-less dress), a quechquémitl, (similar to a shoulder cape) and a rebozo (similar to a shawl). Mexican clothing for men is less unique, it usually includes trousers and a shirt; both are European garments. However the sarape, which is a large cape, is individually Mexican. Clothing is often made from cotton, agave, wool and sometimes silk, which was introduced by the Spanish. Another traditional is a Mexican garment is the sombrero, used to protect field workers from the sun. It is usually made from straw, although decorative ones can be made from finer fabrics. Equally as iconic is the poncho. Ponchos are either thick and meant to kept the wearer warm, or thin and meant to keep the wearer dry during rainstorms. Ponchos are very similar to sarapes. In the image, pins made by Margot de Taxco, a man and a woman are wearing traditional Mexican garb.
Clothing worn on celebrations, can vary from the traditional style. On the Day of the Dead, people wear makeup and clothing so as to look like a skeleton. During Carnival, many men wear the charro suit, often seen being worn by Mariachi bands. The charro suit is stretched pants, shoes, a short jacket and usually a sombrero. The group below wearing the charro suit is the band New York Mariachi 8, who perform in New York City.
