If we want to learn about the clothing of the charros and mariachis, we will first have to know what they are about. The mariachi is a symbol of Mexico and the people who dedicate themselves to being mariachis do so with great pride and devotion. Although they originated in the state of Jalisco, today you can enjoy their music anywhere in the country, and they are also easily recognizable thanks to their clothing, their wide, wide-brimmed hats and charro embroidery on their costumes.
The mariachi is often heard at Mexican celebrations and this genre has contributed to the fame of actors. Mariachis is a Mexican custom that everyone likes and that if you ever travel to Mexico, I am sure you will like to meet.
Ancient dress
Originally the mariachis wore traditional rural Jalisco costumes and they consisted of cotton and straw blankets with palm leaves as hats, but later they began to wear the “charro” that was the cowboy, like a horse rider. The official costume of the “charro” is made up of a short jacket and high, tight black pants, but the mariachis have also been incorporating a variation with white in the suit.
The origin of the charros
The charro costumes are believed to have originated in the Spanish city of Salamanca, since its inhabitants were called "charros". In this province, the Tormes river and Ciudad Rodrigo is a region called Campo Charro, and in this region the typical costume was that of a black cowboy, with a short suit jacket and riding boots. The hats used that were very similar to those of Mexico, had smaller wings, but the similar was spectacular.
Are there only Mariachis in Mexico?
The reality is that nowadays you can find Mariachis in many countries outside of Mexico such as Venezuela, where they also have a great fame. In the United States there are also many gangs because of the large number of Mexican immigrants who decided to move to live there. In Spain they are also very popular since it is possible to find groups in various cities playing and singing typical songs, cheering on the streets of the city.
Curiosities about the costumes of the mariachis
If we want to discover the typical costumes of Mexico, as I have mentioned above, you will have to start by knowing some of the most emblematic costumes in the world: the clothing of the Charro (Mexican cowboy) who delights us with mariachi music, which is originally from the state of Jalisco, place extremely known for tequila. We resort to history, we will realize that at the beginning of the XNUMXth century, the charro costume, depending on which hacienda came from, varied in colors, shapes, the material used, among others.
Those who had more money, wore suits made of wool, with silver ornaments, and the most humble wore suede suits. After the Mexican Revolution, the costume was standardized for everyone, under the baroque aesthetic. Nowadays, the charro suit, which varies somewhat according to the occasion, consists of an elegant jacket, quite tight and fitted pants (which makes some women delirious), a shirt, ankle boots and a tie. shawl. These should contrast with the frets, and other silver ornaments (or other material). Boots must be the color of the saddle, and are honey or brown, unless worn at a funeral, which will be black. The shirt used must be white, or off-white.
What stands out the most is the hat, which is made of wool, hare hair or other materials. It serves to protect the charros from the Mexican sun, and to protect them from a fall from the horse. It is worth mentioning that They are not cheap suits because the cheapest have a cost of $ 100.
The origin of the mariachis
The origins of the mariachi are not easy to trace. The mariachi is the sum of a cultural evolution that has taken place during the last century or more in Mexico. Although the indigenous tribes of Mexico make music with flutes, drums, and whistles, there is no clear relationship between indigenous music and mariachi.
Mariachi instruments
The instruments originally used by the mariachi along with their clothing were introduced by the Spanish: violins, guitars, vihuelas, harps, etc. These instruments were thought to be used during the masses, but the criollos (Mexicans with Spanish descent) began to use them to make popular music (to the chagrin of the priests since they were used to accompany somewhat more scandalous, satirical or anticlerical verses of the epoch).
Mariachi music
Mariachi music prospered thanks to people who liked what they heard, the crillos of the nineteenth century did everything possible to put an end to all traces of the Spanish presence in Mexico and in doing so, they supported mariachi music.
Mariachis can wear traditional workers clothing, white pants, shirt and straw hat, that when they went out to look for work as a mariachi they could earn more than an average worker in society. Although now mariachis no longer enjoy the same position as decades ago, the reality is that they are still highly valued and they wear their costumes and sing their songs with great pride and happiness.
Mariachis today
The mariachis, their music and their clothing are known all over the world not only in Mexico, in places like Europe, Japan or any other corner of the world. This popular form of culture and history of Mexico, It is celebrated every September where everything originated: in Jalisco.
From now on if you did not know what mariachis were, their culture and their clothing, now you can do it. Would you like to see them live right now? It is a great show that you will like to enjoy!