What Everybody should know about Spanish Style

You can travel everywhere, you can find every details. It is not a future, it is reality. We use an Internet, we cognize and dream, but we don’t apply our knowledges. For example, knowledges about national costume in different countries. Just let me know, how often do you consider to wear traditional elements of national costume? Spanish fashion pushed me over the edge, thus I would like to tell you some information about national costume essentials and give you an advice how to wear it in real life. By the way, elements of the Spanish national costume is a great modern trend (just remember last Dolce&Gabbana collections).

Peineta («la peineta») is a large decorative comb usually worn under a mantilla (lace head covering) — one of the main components of the national Spanish feminine hairstyles and clothes. History of mantilla and peineta is associated with the veil: mantilla is a response to the Arab conquest of Spain. Every region has distinctive features, each class has its own differences. In particular, mantilla is a protection from the weather in the North of the country, it is made of wool. Mantilla is decorative and light in the South of Spain. The differences in classes of society were expressed mainly in the fabric and subtlety of crest (in materials and additional finish).

Peineta was made of ivory, tortoiseshell formerly. Modern one is made of plastic, which is much cheaper, and at the same time without causing harm to populations of turtles. Peineta’s historical dimension is the height of 20 centimeters. The shape is rectangular, often rounded, with 5-6 teeth. Color — black or brown (for married women), white or cream (for unmarried), sometimes red (for the flamenco dance). The shape and dimensions of the crest have changed, especially when it began to be worn away from mantillas. Now you can meet quite a miniature decorative peineta.

The crests adorned with elegant carvings, but almost never with stones, cause all was hidden under the veil. It is used today primarily during special occasions such as weddings, bullfights, Holy Week processions, and traditional performances of flamenco music.

I believe that such an amazing accessory can be worn separately from whole costume. Peineta can add something special for ordinary casual look. It is also a good complementary thing for evening look. You can chose maxi dress or cocktail one and add this. Combine it with the red lipstick and monochrome clothes to get interesting and fashionable outfit. And here is one more secret from me: dress monochronic or plaid/striped pantsuit, add peineta and I am sure that every street style photographer will follow you.

Blouse with basque is a part of the national costume of Southern Spain residents. Women wear short sleeves blouses with bright and embroidered pictures or monophonic long sleeve shirts with a frill at the bottom. Shirts with the frill and basque are also a part of the male wardrobe. Flamenco dancers and bullfighters wear them. Combine it with the jeans and ankle or chelsea boots, To make nice summer outfit wear it with the shorts, sneakers or slip-on shoes and t-shirt under unbuttoned blouse. If you need elegant outfit, wear a blouse with a pencil skirt or trousers made of brocade, add open sandals and a small necklace that will be seen if you unbutton collar.

I hope my advice will be helpful for you, because the aim of my article was to inspire you to wear this kind of clothes. It is the firts part of the article, keep in touch to find more about Spanish style. Don’t be shy, be brave to wear all that you want. Experiment and let me know about your results.