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Regional Variation in Huipils
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| More than status or gender, Mayan clothing is noted for marking distinctions between different communities. Each Mayan community has its own very specific way of dressing. First, on a more general level, the clothing of the highland and lowland regions differs greatly. Obviously, a Mayan man living on the coast of the Yucatan peninsula would be terribly uncomfortable in the wool shirt and trousers characteristic of highland Mayan communities. And a Mayan woman in the highlands would get fairly cold in the light cotton dressed favored in the lowland Mayan areas. | ||||||
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| These are examples of huipils and a serape worn in the highlands of Mexico and Guatemala. Though short-sleeved or sleeveless, these are quite warm when coupled with a shawl. They also allow the wearer to adjust to temperature variations with relative ease. | ||||||
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Ceremonial huipil |
Huipil
Todos Santos Cuchumatan, Guatemala |
Wool serape |
Huipil
San Lucas Toliman, Guatemala |
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| These huipils from the lowlands are more akin to dresses than blouses. They are often worn with petticoats underneath. Most are made of machine woven cotton fabric that is embroidered by hand or by machine. They are lightweight and particularly suited to tropical climes. | ||||||
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Petticoat and huipil
Yucatan, Mexico |
Child's huipil |
Huipil
Yucatan, Mexico |
Huipil
Yucatan, Mexico |
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