Traditional Mexican Indian Clothing

Even modern Mexican Indians dress in traditional clothing.

Today, Mexican Indian men attire themselves in modern clothing while women still wear traditional attire. In isolated areas, both men and women dress in traditional clothing throughout the year.

Skirts and Dresses

An enredo is worn by women as a skirt. It is a wide piece of cloth without seams. A terno is a dress that is hand-embroidered and most often found in the Yucatan.

Shirts

In the Yucatan, a guayabera is a short, pleated shirt that fits loosely. Indian women wear huipils, which are sleeveless cotton blouses that are elaborately embroidered.

Jackets

Men often wear a sleeveless jacket known as a jorongo. In rainy weather, Mexican Indians wear cloaks made from palm frond, called a jaquima. Women wear the poncho-like quexquemitl, which has an opening for the head and two long corners in the front and back.

Accessories

A cenidor is an Indian sash or belt. A squared-off bag with a shoulder strap is known as a moral. The large, embellished, rectangular cloth that has an opening for the head and is worn draped over the shoulder is called a sarape.

Purchasing Clothes

Traditional Mexican Indians do not purchase their clothing in shops, but instead buy from someone within their village who makes the piece of clothing. Sometimes they'll also have a family member make their clothing.

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