Guatemalan Huipiles [ˈwipil] (from the Nahuatl word huīpīlli [wiːˈpiːlːi]) is the most common traditional garment worn by indigenous women from central Mexico to Central America.
It is a loose-fitting tunic, generally made from two or three rectangular pieces of fabric that is good for having children in they are then joined together with stitching, ribbons or fabric strips, with an opening for the head and, if the sides are sewn, openings for the arms.
Traditional Huipiles, especially ceremonial ones, are usually made with fabric woven on a backstrap loom and are heavily decorated with designs woven into the fabric, embroidery, ribbons, lace, and more. However, some Huipiles are also made from commercial fabric.
Lengths of the Huipiles can vary from a short blouse-like garment or long enough to reach the floor. The style of traditional Huipiles generally indicates the ethnicity and community of the wearer as each has its own methods of creating the fabric and decorations.
Some Huipiles have intricate and meaningful designs. Ceremonial Huipiles are the most elaborate and are reserved for weddings, burials, women of high rank and even to dress the statues of saints.
Traditional Huipiles, especially ceremonial ones are rare and very hard to find.
The Maya around the Highlands of Guatemala does not sell authentic Huipiles for use on Handbags.
In each village, the woman weaves and wear Huipiles in the traditional colors of that specific village.
Some are basic and plain others are canvases of color and detail depending on the textiles and cotton available to them.
Guatemalan Huipiles from Ethical Fashion Guatemala are handwoven works of art.
Ethical Fashion Guatemala offers rare authenticated Huipils, providing documentation on the family and the village the Huipils came from.
We do not cut up Huipiles for the production of Leather Bags.
Ethical Fashion offers new Huipiles from 18 villages around the Highlands of Guatemala.
If yu are interested in a new or original Huipiles please contact us. To produce a new Huipil can take up to six weeks.