Page:Mexico of the Mexicans.djvu/65

Rh deerskin, his trousers being sewn with silver or brass buttons, which are placed close together up the side-seam of the leg; and these garments are also frequently ornamented by fancy facings on the back and legs. In rough country, trousers, called chaperreras, are worn over the others, and this picturesque dress is finished with a heavy beaver-felt hat with a deep crown.

The dress of a Mexican country gentleman is not unlike the riding costume described above, with the exception that a ruffled shirt is sometimes worn, and the jacket is made of black cloth trimmed with rows of buttons, or ornamented with fur and costly silver or gold embroidery. This coat is fastened with a tab of cloth held by two buttons. The sombrero is usually elaborately decorated and sewn with the owner's monogram.

The holiday dress of the superior Indian is of a brilliant hue, that of the male being the more gaudy. The man wears a pair of crimson trousers edged with cream-coloured lace, which reach to a few inches to above his bare ankles. For his upper garment he wears a yellow tunic striped with orange, round which is worn a blue belt. Over his shoulders is a species of zarape made of patterned cotton tied at the neck with blue ribbon. The colours mentioned are, of course, subject to variation. The Indian woman affects quieter apparel than that worn by her husband. Her brown skirt is full and reaches to above her ankles, while it has a narrow edging of green and blue. Her upper garment is a long white tunic trimmed at the foot and waist with green and blue respectively, over which is thrown a transparent garment trimmed with a narrow red strip at the sleeves, foot, and down the front. The entire transparent tunic is completed with graceful points of cream lace, and the whole reaches to her knees. The colours mentioned are characteristic, but are variable according to the taste of the wearer.

The everyday dress of the labourer consists of a zarape,