When we speak about
fashion or clothing during the Spanish Colonization of the Philippines, we
would think baro’t saya, Maria Clara dress, barong tagalog and camisa de chino.
But during this period, there existed a colonial caste system. This colonial
caste system also determined the type of clothing a certain class would wear.
Negritos
The Negrito Class was
the descendants from pure Aeta clans. Their clothing was very simple. Both the
male and female negrito would wear wrap around.
Indio
The Indio from the
Austronesian ancestry has vest type tops and baggy pants. They wear jewelry
like necklaces and bracelets which are thick bangles. Aside from jewelry, tattoos
are also common to Indios and are also a tradition passed down and carried on
from their ancestors.
Mestizo de Sanglay,
Mestizo de Espanol, Tornatras
The “mixed” class had
very similar clothing. Mixed as in mixed blood or people from different
ancestral origin. Mestizo de Sanglay is Chinese-Malay mix. Mestizo de Espanol is
Spanish-Malay mix. Tornatras are people who are mixed of all three –
Chinese-Spanish-Malay blood. They had clothing with the form of the baro’t
saya. With some etched design at the end of their sleeves. Also, the men wear
the camisa de chino.
Insulares
Insulares are people
who are of pure Spanish blood but born in the Philippines. As you would see in
the photo, the Insulares wear a similar dress as the Mestizos but in this case,
the top garment of their clothing would be lacy in nature.
Peninsulares
The Peninsulares are
the Spaniards. Of pure Spanish blood and born in Spain. As seen in the photo
above, men wear a uniform. Most of them wore chainmail underneath their metal
vests. Men wear this kind of clothing because of their job as part of the army
or as being soldiers. You would also see this uniform on Ferdinand Magellan
when he invaded the shores of Mactan.
Sources:
Colonial Caste System - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filipino_mestizo#Colonial_caste_system
Aeta Clothing - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aeta#Clothing
Aeta Photo - lailustrada.blogspot.com
Austronesian Tattoos - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Austronesian_people
Indio Photo – www.gmanetwork.com
Mestizo de Sangley
Photo - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Pinayavatar.jpg
Insulares Photo – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Meztizo_Spanish_Woman.png
Peninsulares Photo – www.legendsofamerica.com
