Clothing

Most Mexicans, even in urban areas, wear clothing that is almost common in the United States. Many groups wear traditional clothing—either daily or for festivals. In some areas, a man wears a wool poncho (serape) over his shirt and pants when it is cold. He also may wear a wide-brimmed straw hat. Rural men and professional men in the north may wear cowboy hats, boots, and jeans. Rural women wear dresses or skirts, often covered by an apron. They may use a shawl (rebozo) to carry a child, cover the head or arms, or help support water buckets carried on the head. Fabric designs and colors can be characteristic of a specific region. People often dress up for special occasions.