Certain elements of traditional clothing of some nations are known worldwide. One example is the Mexican hat, which, when mentioned, most people immediately imagine a large, wide-brimmed headdress decorated with original embroidery or bright braid. What varieties of this item of clothing exist, what materials it is made of – these are questions that require detailed consideration.
What is it
The sombrero is a part of the Mexican national dress. It is a hat with a high, unfinished cone-shaped crown and very wide brim, the edge of which is turned up. The sombrero is held on the head with the help of strings passed through the brim or thin ribbons tied under the chin. These characteristic features give the hat a recognizable look, which makes it difficult to confuse it with any other headdress.
Although the sombrero is a Mexican hat, it is also worn in Columbia and Panama. These countries have their own varieties of this headdress. They have their own design features, details, although in general they repeat the original form of an unfinished cone.
Origin and history of the sombrero
The first sombreros in Mexico were worn by farmers and shepherds working during the day under the scorching sun. It is believed that the first hats of this type appeared in Spain, from where they later “migrated” overseas. At first these hats were not so big, but over time Mexicans modernized them to suit their climate. Now the main purpose of the sombrero became protection from the sun. That is why the brim of the hat became so big.
Not everyone knows what the traditional Mexican hat is called and why it was given this name. In fact, it's simple: sombrero means "hat" in Spanish. But apparently the name was also influenced by the word "sombra", which means "shadow". It suits the Mexican hat perfectly, because it was primarily intended to create shade for its owner.
Later, for practical reasons, headgear began to be used not only by agricultural workers, but also by other citizens. It ceased to be only an accessory for workers, so different materials and decorations began to be used for its production.
Varieties
Mexicans and residents of other countries have several types of sombreros. They have different purposes, designs, colors, and decor:
- Sombrero vaquero is a cowboy hat, part of the American cowboy outfit. It appeared in the 19th century in the southwestern states of the United States and remains popular there today. It is used by ranch workers, rodeo participants, and country singers.
- Sombrero de Charro – a hat of Spanish origin, used by charro horsemen. Made from felt wool, wheat straw, palm fibers, horsehair, it protects from the sun and injuries in case of falling from a horse. Therefore, a real sombrero de charro has a raised back and 4 dents in the crown, which provide some resistance to impact. Such a hat, used in desert regions, has a wider brim. The materials for production in the highlands are denser than on the plains.
- Sombrero vueltiao is a traditional hat of Colombia, one of its symbols. It is made from local reed, a quality product should be flexible and woven from a large number of thin fibers. The sombrero vueltiao has a characteristic black and white pattern of stripes and geometric patterns. It is traditionally worn by dancers of the Cumbia folk dance, and Vallenato musicians.
- Sombrero pintado is a traditional Panamanian hat made from cane fibers. The light-colored product is decorated with thin black stripes arranged in a certain way. Sombrero pintado is worn by people working in the fields, as well as by anyone who wants to during folk festivals, holidays, and special events. Such a sombrero can be worn not only by men, but also by women.
All hats are still made using old technology, their quality and cost are determined by the density of the weave.
Materials and design
It is noteworthy that all sombreros are always made by hand, industrial production is not used. The cheapest examples are made from straw and reed, while more expensive ones are made from:
- high-quality synthetics;
- velvet;
- felt;
- fine wool.
The finished product is decorated with decorative elements: multi-colored embroidery and ribbons. The colors of Mexican hats are also varied, they can be either single-color or combine several shades.
Each region of the country has its own craftsmen who make hats on a permanent basis. The products are bought by local residents or numerous tourists.
Accessory in modern fashion
Of course, if you visit Mexico today, you won't see locals wearing hats at every turn. The sombrero is not used as an everyday headdress. It is worn at parties, festive events. It is a favorite accessory of actors and street musicians.
Bright souvenir hats are sold at local markets and store counters especially for tourists. They are richly decorated with embroidery, ribbons, stones, even feathers. There are budget options made of fabric or woven from straw, they are inexpensive.
In Mexico, there is a holiday dedicated to national clothing, including the hat. Then you can see many Mexicans in sombreros.
The Mexican hat is popular among fashion designers. They create original models that can be worn not only with traditional attire, ponchos, ethnic shirts, but also with modern clothes: trouser suits, light coats, dresses and evening dresses. For such an image, you need to choose the appropriate shoes - light woven sandals or sandals. Although this headdress is a summer hat, some designers add it to their fall collections.
A sombrero can be not only a hat in the literal sense of the word, but also an interior decoration if you hang it on the wall of a room or a country house. In order for the accessory to look organic there, you need to choose one that matches the color and style of the interior of the room.
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