History of Costa Rican Clothing

Robert Harrold and Phyllida Legg provided the following information on the national costume of Costa Rican in their ” Folk Costumes of the World”:

” In the women’s costume of Costa Rica there are found several variations, but all are based on the frilled blouse and full skirt. In the regions bordering on Nicaragua the skirts tend to be narrow, but those nearer to Panama have fuller skirts, not unlike the pollera… The skirts vary in color and range from white to a mult-colored effect…

The white blouses are made with round, boat shaped neckline and have one, two, or three frills embroidered in floral silk designs. For galas, the frills are more elaborately embroidered. 

A colored stole, or rebozo, is draped round the shoulders or over the head. There is usually a cross, medallion or locket suspended from a black band round the neck and circular golden ear-rings recall the Indian tradition. Lightweight shoes or sandals are mostly worn.

The most popular costume for the man consists of black or dark brown long trousers worn with a long-sleeved white shirt and a red knotted handkerchief at the neck. A colored sash is tied round the waist and a long knife in a decorated leather sheath hangs from a silver chain worn over the sash. Men also wear a straw Panama hat and either sandals or western style shoes….”