Every nation (or subnational entity) has its own folklore, which comprises myths and tales, songs and dances, artwork, and other visual and performing arts, as well as written and spoken histories and chronicles.
Venezuela has some special dresses based on their tradition. Women wear skirts that are calf or ankle-length. They’re paired with cotton blouses that expose the shoulders. The bodice of the blouse is lace-trimmed. Hibiscus blossoms behind each ear and a side ponytail complete this classic female look. The male Campesino outfit consists of white trousers, a white shirt, and a red triangle scarf around the neck (see top picture). Instead of white pants, jeans are used today.
In this article, we will be discussing details of Venezuela’s traditional clothing.
Traditional Clothes of Venezuela
Province
It includes Caracas’ Capital District, Miranda, and Vargas. It’s the most populous district, where Spanish whites, black slaves, and criollos settled during the Colony, leaving their culture. As a traditional costume, caraqueas wore “lady antaona,” a nod to the country’s European high society women. It’s a flowing, silk-and-lace outfit.
Several layers of cloth or iron-on give the outfit volume. Extra hats, gloves, and a soft umbrella protect against the tropical sun. Men wear linen or cotton, light-colored pants, and jacket outfits. They used to wear ties and straw hats. Some sed canes as an elegant adornment, not a real need.
Miranda and Vargas’ outfit
Traditional Miranda dress is less formal. Men wear rolled-up khaki slacks and a white shirt or flannel. Women wear knee-length, flowery skirts, ruffled blouses, and bare shoulders. When dancing, they wave colorful headscarves. Vargas lies near the central coast, and drum dances inspired ladies to wear more flexible attire for dancing. The waist-tied blouse is tighter, and the skirt is narrower.
Men wear rolled-up khaki slacks and white shirts. Drum dancers perform barefoot on the beach sand.
Southern Plains
The Apure, Barinas, and Guárico states make up the llanera region, where the llanero clothing originated. Here, liqui liqui males and wide-skirted women dance the joropo. Elegant or casual suits depend on the situation. Wear linen with stunning buttons, black leather boots, hat”hair and ‘guama,’ and a riding for formal events.
To make a woman’s outfit more formal, the skirt is lengthened and its fullness is enhanced. Blouses have longer sleeves with colorful ribbons. In the head, they use flowers or cayenne.
Andes
The Andes have the country’s highest, coldest mountains. It contains Táchira, Mérida, and Trujillo. Geography influences this region’s dress.
Men wear cotton or linen slacks and cream or white shirts. The object indicated was a hand-woven ruana with raw sheep wool to defend against the cold. Andean espadrilles are closed, unlike elsewhere in the country.
Regional outfits are practical. Men in the field used to carry sun protection such as a straw hat. They wore a wide leather belt with pockets for money (silver coins), a machete, and a marusa (cloth bag) to carry the weapons (food).
Ladies wore long skirts and black long undershirts to warm their legs. Long-sleeved white blouses and cotton or linen jackets kept them warm. The ladies wrapped a handkerchief on their heads and on this hat to feel less cold, but when they worked in the field they used them in reverse: first, the cap, which was connected with the handkerchief to prevent flying. Traditional dancing and party attire have these details.
Imported materials broke up the monotony of unicolored clothes. First were fabrics with huge or polka dots, which led to the Creole expression “peeled andas” for stylish.
Zulia
Zulia is a state, yet its tradition and regionalism make it a region. Their traditional clothing comes from La Guajira’s indigenous people. This area straddles the Venezuela-Colombia border.
Wayuu women have the most distinctive costume. The guajira blanket is a long, broad garment made of cotton with comforting, vibrant designs. The neck might be circular or “V”-shaped. Internally, a waist drawstring makes it snug in front and loose in the back.
The guajiro sandal is decorated with colorful wool balls. Their bags are woven and have long handles to hang across. On the head, a crimson ribbon covers and ties the forehead. Indians wear magical necklaces inherited from their mothers and grandmothers. On rare occasions, people can wear natural face and arm makeup. Venezuelan beauty queens wear these clothes in foreign competitions. Modern designers build them with urban flair.
Unlike the Wuayuu, these men wear a guayuco or “loincloth.” A little covering that conceals the genitals, tied with a braided ribbon and warm hues. Recently, they’ve started wearing a white flannel over their torso. The Indians keep their knife in a little woven bag. They wear a felt sunhat and plain leather sandals. They wear plumes for ceremonies.
Caribbean Island
This area contains Nueva Esparta and federal dependencies (Caribbean islands). The blouse and skirt are attached to the standard woman’s dress. Wide, ankle-length skirt. It has seven flower fabric rods on a light or red background. Each floor seam has a ribbon or lace.
The three-quarter-sleeved, high-neck blouse has ribbons and buttons that match the skirt’s back. Sole espadrilles are feminine and manly footwear. Women wear ribbon headbands. The male wears rolled-up white trousers and a collarless white or red shirt. Sometimes black slacks with white shirts. They also wear khaki suits with loose shirts over their pants.
A straw hat and “hair and ‘guama” are utilized. This prevents falling during zapateados dances.
Guyana
Amazonas, Bolvar, and Delta Amacuro comprise this region. His Amazonas-inspired outfit. Women wear a mid-calf, colorful skirt with a white shirt, belts, and Indian necklaces. The usual man wears white slacks, a colored shirt, and bright indigenous necklaces. Some indigenous tribes still wear the guayuco and have naked torsos; this is another regional garment.
West-Central
Falcon, Lara, Portuguesa, and Yaracuy compose this region. Each state has a rich mythology, thus traditional clothing varies. Falcon men wear khaki pants, white flannel, and cane hats. Floral skirts and light blouses are worn to dance the joropo.
Men wear khaki pants with white flannel, a belt, and a cane hat (straw). Long skirts and white blouses resemble the llanero suit. This costume is worn for the Tamunangue Larense dance.
Yaracuy’s traditional dress is liqui liqui. Women wear ankle-length, fluttering dresses. They’re colorful and worn with layers or blankets. Men wear liqui liquis, while ladies wear broad floral skirts and white blouses. Men and women wear espadrilles here.
Northeast
It includes Anzoátegui, Monagas, and Sucre. Men wear a liqui liqui with a “éma hair” hat, and ladies wear a wide, flowery skirt and light-colored top.
In Monagas, women wear a broad ankle-length skirt with vivid colors; mid-calf skirts with wide lace are also popular. White low-cut short-sleeve blouse with washer. Women wear flower-adorned loose hair. They wear sandals/espadrilles. The male wears half-leg-up white pants. It goes with a collarless white or red shirt, black slacks, and a white shirt. “pelo e’guama” is recommended.
Sucre women wear ankle-length, wide-flowered skirts. Seven light or red fabric sticks make it. The three-quarter-sleeve, high-neck shirt has ribbons and buttons back. Alpargatas and cotizas are traditional footwear.
Final Words
In this article, we gave you the names of Venezuela’s traditional clothes and their details. Now you should know how you can dress like Venezuelan people. There are varieties of clothes and liqui liqui is the name you will hear repeatedly.
So it will be better for you to try one when you visit there.
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