Philippine History: Fashion from the Spanish Era Spanish Influence on Philippine Fashion

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