Ideas for Mexican Halloween Costumes and Accessories

Mexican costumes can offer a colorful change of pace from typical costumes at Halloween. Many Mexican garments can be made quickly and easily from cheap materials. If you don't want to make your Mexican costume pieces yourself, you may be able to purchase traditional Mexican clothing cheaply from thrift stores and import websites. Here are some ideas for popular and interesting Mexican Halloween costumes.

Mexican Poncho Costumes

To make a Mexican poncho costume for Halloween, find a brightly colored striped woolen Mexican blanket, preferably one with fringe at the ends. If you can't find a fringed Mexican blanket, then you can sew on some trim that matches on of the colors in the blanket. Cut a slit large enough for your head at the center of the blanket. Sew up or apply fabric fray stop to the edges of the slit so that it doesn't fray. Find a Mexican-style sombrero hat and a pair of well-worn blue jeans and leather shoes. Add accessories such as a fake black mustache and maracas to make your Mexican poncho Halloween costume complete.

Mexican Senorita Costumes

When you're making a homemade Mexican senorita costume, your best bet is to look at styles of Mexican traditional dress. You can wear a huipil, a simple garment that's made from a rectangular piece of cloth, folded over on itself and stitched at the sides with two arm holes left open at the top. Typically, huipiles are embroidered with elaborate designs such as flowers and animals.

The quechquémitl is another popular Mexican garment for women. Made from two rectangular pieces of cotton or wool cloth, the poncho-like quechquémitl is often embroidered with rich designs. Both huipiles and quechquémitls can be worn alone if they're long enough.

Another option is to wear a rebozo, which is a long Mexican scarf that's worn like a shawl. You can wear your rebozo with a loose fitting, comfortable embroidered Mexican dress or blouse and skirt made from cotton or wool. The dress or skirt can be long enough to reach the ankles or short enough to go just below the knees.

Add accessories such as beaded necklaces, rings and bracelets. You can also wear jewelry made from silver, seashells or ribbons with your Mexican senorita Halloween costume.

If you prefer, you can also base your Mexican senorita costume on Mexican dance costumes. The style of traditional Mexican women's dance costume varies widely based on the region the costume comes from. You can find pictures and information about various Mexican dance costumes on the Ballet Folklorico website.

Mexican Bandit Costumes

To make a Mexican bandit costume, find an old western-style shirt, a button-down vest and an old pair of blue jeans. Get two belts and make them into bandoliers by attaching bullets to the front. Strap the bandoliers onto your chest in an X pattern. Tie a colorful bandanna around your neck. Get some western-style boots with spurs and a large sombrero. To finish your Mexican bandit Halloween costume, carry a prop revolver or rifle.

For more costume ideas from exotic countries, read Ideas for Greek Halloween Costumes and Accessories and Homemade Egyptian Halloween Costumes and Accessories.

Sources:

Tsharma, "Traditional Mexican Clothing for Women." LovetoKnow.com