Mandiles

More than just an apron, mandiles play an important part in a Mexican woman's wardrobe. Until recently, mass produced dresses were not available to the majority of Mexican women. On special holidays - Mother's Day or their birthday, their children gave them a "corte", two or three meters of fabric. They then went to the local notions store and bought the matching zipper or buttons, etc. and the seamstress then made her dress. She certainly didn't have "too" many dresses.

Traditional habits continue and women wear the mandil throughout the day - in the home. Any errand that needs to be done outside, the mandil is removed and the woman has a nice clean dress to wear outside where she is the "señora" of the home. It is a social status that is observed to this day.

The insets in the mandiles are repurposed vintage huipiles (Mexican textile garments) making each mandil one-of-a-kind). Mexican textiles are becoming scarce because of the ease in acquiring mass produced fabrics.

Your purchase of a mandil will assist us in procuring hupiles - and helping us help the artisans. Thank you!!