Seville, the home of Flamenco

 Seville, famous for its oranges, intense heat and also, as being the birthplace of flamenco. This passionate art form, steeped in history is an unmissable experience for any visitor to Spain. Flamenco is about more than just the music and the dancing however, the costumes of the performers are just as important. After seeing a flamenco show you may just find yourself searching for anywhere selling FlamencoDresses in Seville. It is important when looking for flamenco dresses that you find a quality tailor, one ho knows the secrets of making great flamenco dresses, and there are no shortage of these in Seville.

In addition to the dresses themselves, it is traditional to buy accessories to go with your dresses, these can include shawls, separate skirts and many other items. The best thing about finding a quality dress maker in Seville is that they will also offer Flamencodress accessories and you know they will be of great quality.

Autumn Flamenco Dresses

As Summer turns to Autumn in Spain, so the styles of flamenco dresses subtly change to reflect the slightly cooler weather. Just because summer has ended, does not mean the fun ends too. There are many fairs still going on throughout Spain and to make the most of these fairs, it is worth trying out an authentic Flamenco dress. Just think of the stories you can tell your friends back home, of how you spent the end of summer dancing the night away at a real Spanish fair dressed as the locals do.

But just like all fashion, styles change so it is important to stay on track with the current trends in flamenco style. As a foreigner the best way to do this is by visiting good quality, traditional flamenco shops and noticing the recurring themes. Not only will this be a fun way to end your summer, it will also mean you can buy a beautiful flamenco dress as a reminder of your wonderful time in Spain.

  

Summer fairs are filled with flamenco dresses

Many of the towns in Andalucia celebrate fairs in summer as a way of family, friends and neighbours enjoying time with one another. Many tourists who visit these towns also get in on the action, including trying out some of the local fashion. The best thing to wear if you want to look like a local at these fairs is a flamenco dress.

If you want to buy one to stand out from the in the fair you are visiting, you should make sure to follow the trends of 2016 and also pay attention to these useful tips:

• You should buy one made of sheer and light fabrics, to better cope with Andalucia´s soaring temperatures
• This years trend includes warm and bright colours, so you should opt for these.
• If you feel slightly more daring, choose a flamenco dress with a print, you are bound to stand out more. This year, tropical style prints are very popular amongst the well-known designers.

Asunción Peña - Flamenco Trend Accessories 2016

Are you already thinking about the flamenco costume that will make you shine at the next Feria? This is a good start. That said, don’t forget the most trendy Flamenco dress accessories in the year of 2016.

Specially, among all types of accessories, the ones that bring the most value are the following:

•  To get the most modern look, nothing better than vests, which will certainly give a hipster

   touch to any costume.

•  While traditional Flamenco costumes never get old, this year 2016 marks great comeback

    of the Manila shawls, which will grant you a nice and elegant feminine touch.

•  To complete your look, a pair of big round-shaped earrings with an authentic design.

Flamenco Dress Accessories: What Should and Should Not Wear

When a woman goes to buy her flamenco outfits, she should not only keep in mind the fabrics, colors or the cut for the dresses to look good on them, but also pay special attention to the flamenco dress accessories. It is what makes a flamenco outfit outshine the others and have the appropriate style on each occasion. 

To be specific, the frills, embroidered edges and edged lace are the most favored among all the best accessories for flamenco outfits. All this without forgetting the peinetas (decorative combs) and mantoncillos (shawls) which always make perfect matches.  

On the contrary, some flamenco dress accessories should be avoided by all means: excessively overladen earrings and even flat espadrilles, which are out-fashioned despite of being very comfortable.

Types of Flamenco dress and frills

You find yourself visiting stores of flamenco outfits in Seville to look spectacular at the next religious pilgrimage or festival such as Romería or Feria. However, you are not sure about what kind of dress to choose. In this case, you need to know that there are basically two types of flamenco outfits.

• One-piece flamenco dress. As this name indicates, this type of flamenco dress includes the well-known canasteros frills, a very classic and feminine version.

Emma’s model – Asunción Peña

• The blouse or bodice with skirt.  We can define it as a “two pieces”, which features modern flamenco fashion and matched with flamenco accessories. This type of flamenco dress is also designed with frills sewed in lines layered one above the other. The result: a flexible outfit thanks to all the layers that are combined. Nevertheless, you can also opt for a flamenco outfit with specially-sewed frills.

What cannot be lacking in your flamenca outfit:

If you find yourself visiting flamenco dress shops in Seville because you want to purchase one for yourself, it is important not only to know the current fashion but also the essential elements that your outfit should have.

Yes, you read correctly. It turns out that there are a series of elements that can pass unnoticed, but that are essential for you to feel as comfortable as possible:

• Hidden pockets so as to be able to keep anything from your mobile phone, to house keys or money.

• Pay attention also to the zips on the flamenco dresses you like. You should choose a simple option that is comfortable when dressing and undressing.

• Also, don’t forget either to take into account the weight of the fabric of the outfit, since this is one of the factors that will make you feel comfortable in the dress.

Tips for choosing a shawl:

A while ago you purchased one of the many women’s flamenco blouses or dresses available and now, as you are looking to update your look for fairs and romerias, you find yourself looking for a shawl. In this case, you will have to choose between the many types of shawls that are available.

Shawls can be made from different fabrics and we advise that when attending a fair or romeria you choose a shawl that is above all comfortable, since some materials tend to slip off the shoulders leading to continuously having to readjust it.
On the other hand we have plain shawls, shawls with polka-dot or flower designs, single colour shawls or ones with several colours… We have to warn you that fashion changes constantly and the shawls that are always fashionable are those with a plain colour, since they are easier to combine if we change dresses


One of this year’s tends is to choose a different colour from the dress, blouse or item we are wearing and use a plain shawl that is the opposite colour from our dress or item, achieving a look that highlights both tones, the dress and the shawl.

In addition, you can choose between the normal shawl that rests on the shoulders and covers the back or you can opt for one that goes around the neck and is made of tassels.

Don’t forget to think about the length of the tassels, since tassels that are too long can be uncomfortable and tend to get tangled, making your shawl a single use shawl.

And that’s it! You are ready to choose a great shawl to enjoy your fair or romeria.

Fascinating looks for going to the Romeria

We are at the beginning of the season of religious pilgrimages Romeria. The Romeria of El Rocío marks the starting point of this series of continuous events, where people not only show their faith but also live an unforgettable moment with their family and friends. As a tradition, going to the Romeria with a proper and convenient dress is a must. 

The flamenco collection of 2015 defines the trends of flamenco fashion this year. For having a fantastic look at the Romeria, you can choose from many types of flamenco costumes. However, different flamenco dresses can suit different occasions and celebrations:  

• For people who are only going to see the brotherhood leaving the church (“hermandad”), which is the beginning of the Romeria pilgrimages, wearing a tailored V neck flamenco costume with ruffles on the cuffs and skirt is a good choice. It is a perfect dress combining femininity, elegance and the vibe of Romeria.  
• In the case of going to complete the pilgrimage, the comfort of your flamenco costume should be the priority. For this reason, the better choice will be a tailored sleeveless flamenco dress with ruffled skirt since the pilgrimages of Romeria are mostly organized at this season with high temperatures. 
• Similar to the dress mentioned above, a “canastera” style flamenco skirt can also give you a proper look without sacrificing the comfort. Moreover, it’s also a feminine style that will never be outdated. 
• At last, going to the Romeria wearing a short flamenco dress with ruffles also meets this year’s trend. This retro design is back in fashion again.

Flamenco tops!

Whoever is preparing for her flamenco look to go to fairs and romerías should know that instead of purchasing an entire flamenco costume she can choose to buy a flamenco-style top. 

Thanks to the economic prices, you can match your skirt with different tops for a new look every year.   

On the market there are many tops for flamenco dance, but many other models for less specific use are also available, which perfectly highlight the female silhouette and can be adjusted to meet every woman’s need. For example, there are long sleeve tops for the occasions in the seasons of lower temperatures or strap tops for spring and summer. 

In the same way, flamenco shirts and woman-bullfighter-style tops can be also excellent choices.   

Fashion Trends of Flamenco Dresses for Kids

The season of Seville April Fair and The Romería de El Rocío is about to start. Buying a flamenco dress for attending all the celebrations is a necessity. In case you are just looking for flamenco costumes for kids with which you are going to dress your little girl, you probably have found plenty of choices. However, in order to choose the right one you might as well learn something about the prevailing flamenco style for the year of 2015. In particular, the followings are the most significant trends: 

• Referring to the colors, dresses of vivid colors such as red or yellow are going to be the protagonists of this year. However, there are also many trendy alternatives that suits better smaller kids: sky blue, pink or purple. 
• You should not overlook that for girls’ flamenco dresses, the floral patterns is the real eye-catcher this year of 2015. Specifically speaking, an old floral pattern trend has made a classic comeback: the pattern of white moons. 
• When it comes to the types of dresses, tending to buy a long flamenco costume with long sleeves, ruffles and V-neck will set you on the right direction of choice. 
• Nevertheless, for the Seville April Fair and The Romería de El Rocío that are celebrated in the hot months, nothing better than opting for another popular model of flamenco costumes: the short dress. This type of dresses is identified with having shoulder straps, V-neck and smaller but more dense ruffles on the skirt, which gives itself a more casual design.     

Meanwhile, do not forget to match your new dress with the correct flamenco complements. In this matter, accessories like big flowers as hairwear and classic earrings are back to fashion in 2015. 

2015 Collection of Flamenco Dresses Released!

With the advent of spring, every day we are getting closer to the renowned La Feria de Abril (“Seville April Fair”) as well as all the similar celebrations taken place in Andalusia. Therefore, we just released our 2015 collection of flamenco dresses. 

In our new collection, every woman can find the perfect dress, skirt, shirt or accessories in which she could go to the fairs in a feminine and elegant style. Our dresses follows the latest trend of flamenco outfits and all with really reasonable prices.

No excuses for this year. Invest some money in your flamenco dress, go to the Ferias and Romerias, and looking really gorgeous! Our flamenco outfits 2015 will lead the trend of flamenco fashion by being highlighted on the specific runways as SIMOF (“International Salon of Flamenco Fashion”): very colorful floral patterns, shawls, the yellow color…  

How has the flamenco shawl developed until these days?

The dresses of flamenco or commonly called gipsy dresses have developed a lot during their history. And also it has began a fundamental complement for the dresses. We are referring to the shawl.

The first thing to know is that this cloth has got its origin on the century XVI. Concretely on the year 1575, that was when a numerous group of chinese moved to Manila taking with them all the traditions and habits they had. Between these they found some silk canvases on multiply colours, that were characterized by figures from the flowers to the animals.

This way was born the shawl of Manila that, with the rise of commercial traffic between the spanish colons and the patria country, could arrive to us on the century XVI. Little by little, to this cloth were not only added the fringes but it also converted to an indispensable piece of women clothing on high class. And the times after, on the century XVI was when exactly it was popularized and it extended between the feminine population.

The women used this complement, to protect from the cold and also to look more attractive,  like it can be admired in the pictures of Julio Romero de Torres or in those where are represented the famous Cigarreras of Seville. These, according to some rumours, even used the silk on which came the burdens of tobacco, and then worked to decorate their shawl.

After that passed couple years on those the shawl declined and only was used by some women like those of a gipsy ethnic. From here was when the high class inspired to create the dresses of flamenco, and also opted to give protagonism to the same mentioned textil.

This way, from there this article, that can be bought from the Internet making use for the words “flamenco dresses” on a search, has converted to a imprescindible complement

Which accessories to choose for the smallest ones of the house

When we are searching for a flamenco dress for the girls we should take into account one important thing, accessories. Depending on the age of the girl we can decant from one type of accessory to another. Also what affects a lot, was it the upset or the patience, we all can’t stand the same things. 

Unnecessary accessories.

The flower
All flamencas that have self-pride can’t pass without the flower or bouquet of flowers. According to the age of the girl we will find ourselves with different options: plush flower, hair jewel with the flower or for the biggest ones, a middle-size flower.

Earrings
What comes to the earrings, we can choose them according to the closing type: 

• Pressure closing. It is the most common and the most comfort one. For the smallest girls these kind of earrings are very recommended with the backside of spiral that supports the best conformity and that is the most difficult to loose.
• Omega closing. This is the most common one on the flamenco earrings of the older girls and the thing is that it supports the main secure for the heavy and big earrings. If for the girl it results to be comfort, for sure there are many wonderful models with this type of closing.
• Clip closing. It is indicated for the girls that don't have pierced earlobe and it can be a good option for the babies that can’t stand the rest of the earrings.

Combs or brushes
The most used materials of this kind of accessories are made of plastic and acetate, and depending on the length of the hair, girls will use the combs or the brush, or both at the same time.

Bracelet and shawl
These accessories are used on the function of the tendencies of the year. The shawl has always been one of the indispensable in gipsy dresses for the girls but couple years ago it was substituted with the ruffle string directly in the neckline of the dress.

The tendencies that have succeeded on the flamenco fashion in 2014

This year has been charged of amazing models permeated of the character and colour. The flamenco fashion 2014 has achieved, one more time, to do a hole to the panorama of the spanish fashion. As a sign of this the big successes are shown every year on the walkway of SIMOF, for that the participating is every time more numerous and results to a great impact to the medias of the communication.

We will pass the year 2014 again, highlighting the tendencies that have succeeded this year:

• The canastero dresses have become to be the latest fashion and have arrived to stay.
• The lunars are a classic that always succeeds, this year predominating the little lunars.
• The embroidered strip as a decoration, on the neckline or just under the waist on the entry to the ruffle.
• The fringes on the neckline giving this traditional actualized touch.
• The sleeves of lace.
• The prints, mainly the florals came treading strong on this season.
• The flamenco dresses with the cut under the breasts.
• Double ruffles enhancing the waist.
• Shawls of silk, brocades and plumeti.
• And what has been the revolution of the year, the escotes on the back and the boat or also called bateau necklines

All these news of the season have been able to find on the flamenco collection 2014 of Asunción Peña. The dresses that are happy and colorful, sophisticated, elegant, sensual, designed by the high-quality fabrics and comfortable models. Perfect dresses for the actual flamenco woman. Every flamenco dress is a work of art and as a results to that every woman who wears it, feels unique and special. The new collection of the next year also arrives treading strong, tradition and innovation united to create unique dresses.

The inspiration of the flamenco dresses in the costum

The pictorial works are always an important reference point in the fashion. The art draws art. And concretly, the flamenco fashion has got its inspiration in the costum. The pictorial gender that developed on the decades XIX and part of the XX and that reflected its own and different character for the andalusian culture.

 

Flys, laces, shawls and fringes have always defined the flamenco dresses, additionally of the beautiful forms and escotes. And these elements are the ones that we can find from the painting of Gonzalo Bilbao, José García, José Villegas, Joaquín Sorolla or Julio Romero de Torres that marked the topic of the andalusian and sevillan woman.
 

On this work of José Villegas, titulated as Baile flamenco, is a clear example of inspiration for the dresses that combine white and some coloured elements.

On these scenes appears colourful flamenco dresses with the stamps of flower or spots. Also the complements have their place, that on these days is impossible to miss when passing the day in Real or to go for the walk to El Rocío: fans, earrings, combs and flowers, a part a great smile and one cautivate sight.
 

Other pecualirity of the flamenco dress that also reflects to the sewer illustrations is the hairdress: the tradition is to put the hair gathered in a bun, even though the women of the epoca left an impressive bun to the front.
 

The paintings of the costums still continue being the inspiration for the flamenco fashion, however, the idea of the andalusian beaty on that epoca and the flamenco dresses have been adapting the times. And as we already know, the gipsy dress is the unique regional dress that has been changing with the trends and fashion. And on these days there is different kind of designs of flamenco dresses for the women as well as for the girls, with diverse colours, stamps, with short or long sleeves, or even the skirt until the knees.

What is the origin of the Feria tents?

The flamenco dresses, chalky sand of the streets or the horse cars are the significant elements of the Feria of April. However, on this list should be also listed the Feria tents that convert to the scenes where sevillan people and visitors enjoy about the good music, exquisite of gastronomy and the company of their family and friends.

One of these places that has got its origin in 1849. On those times the government decided to mount a tent from where it is possible to control the security of the region.

As a result of this action it circulated from mouth to mouth the good athmosphere and the diverse that was originated from inside of the feria area.

For that reason, since then, particularly the following year the first tents were mounted, some of them to sell the typical spanish sweets and others where the people dressed on their flamenco dresses and suits enjoying about the party.

Spanish Gypsy dress or flamenco dress? What is the correct name for the flamenco clothing?

Flamenco dresses, spanish Gypsy clothing or Gypsy dresses are some of the names that are indistinctly used by the ordinary citizen when referring the clothing that women in Andalusia wear on Romerias, fairs and other events like that. So called flamenco clothing.

  

However, even all those and much more terms are used when speaking about the same type of dress or clothing. Is it correct? In other words, do all the terms for this spanish clothing mean the same? Basically yes, but it´s also the fact that all of them has their reason to be called as they are. Practically, these are the considerations that have to take into account respectfully:

• It is common to turn to use the terms Gypsy costume or Gypsy dress to refer that type of regional clothing. Why? Because precisely the dress has its origin in the clothing that the women in Seville (sevillanas) with the ethnic gypsy background used to wear in the commercial fairs where they sold livestock in the end of the century XIX and at the beginning of the century XX. Tailed gowns, in particular, were those that shined and afterwards inspired the women from the upper classes to design the official clothing that they used to wear during the “Feria de Abril” celebrated on 1929, the year when the capital of Andalusia organized the Universal Exposition.

• On the other hand, it is also typical to call the flamenco clothing as a flamenco dress. It is common used term, and this clothing has stayed as a use of regional clothing to convert to a dress on that a woman wants to shine in diverse cultural and social happenings where she feels herself specially attractive.

For that reason, the purists say flamenco dress is the only correct name to be used when referring this clothing. However, also the other common terms are allowed to be used when speaking about this spanish clothing.

Heart, sharp, rounded… What kind of neckline favors most your flamenco dress?

If you have thought to head up to a flamenco dress shop to buy yourself a flamenco dress, it is important to keep in mind the colour that makes more favor for you and also the trends that dominates on that moment.

However, you should not ignore other fact that is very important and that allows you to be much more favoured with your dress. We are referring the shape of neckline.

Particularly, the following ones are the most in common ones you could find:

• Heart shaped neckline. Without any doubts, this model is the one which most makes favor for any woman. And it emphases the most feminine part, it adapts any type of bust, helps appear shoulder and arms smaller. 

• Sharp neckline. There is a big number of flamenco dresses that decants to present this kind of neckline. This is one of the most called traditional necklines and offers benefits like elegant look, helps disguising bodies with a lot of curves, smooths big or voluminous breasts and in addition it is very sensual. It has to be underlined that this kind of dresses are allowed to wear with or without a shawl.

• Circle shaped neckline. Women who have got a long neck, are those for who this model suits better. This neckline model is not the most common on the shops, and it is not recommended for women with very rounded face. 

• Long shaped neckline. The latest flamenco trends favors this kind of neckline that brings a lot of elegance to any kind of dress. It has got its inspire from the dresses on the 60´s and it may be worn with a shawl. 

• Square shaped neckline. This form is the most discreet and any woman can wear a dress with square shaped neckline.

Flamenco dancing cloth

All those people who dance flamenco and also those who are up to start practicing it, should know, that among many other things, they should pay attention to a clothing they will choose for themselves. The clothing is important, because it has to be comfortable to dance wearing it but at the same time it should also show the artistic qualities.

The first thing is to start searching for suitable dancing clothes, for that there is a wide variety on the markets. Particularly, adjusting the personal preferences or the type of dance represented, there is for example these following alternatives:

• Flamenco dresses. It is very recommendable to have a dress with a skirt with a lot of flight to attract better on the dance floor. In addition to that, from inside the skirt should be composed with lining, to avoid the skirt glueing to the body or either disturbing while dancing.

• Skirts. When it is time to buy a cloth like this, you must pay attention to the conformity and fitting. The skirt should fit perfectly to the silhouette and it should not weight too much to ease the big movements.

• Tailed gowns. That the tailed gowns could allow the agility on the dance, and at the same time visibility, it is necessary that they are light and with diverse flights added.

• Flamenco bodice. The bodice convert to a perfect complement with the skirt. It is indispensable not only that it suits to the body, but also that the bodice would highlight all the movements. It is also good to choose a smooth and breathable fabric for the flamenco bodice.

On the other hand, the one who goes to dance flamenco, should not forget to buy good shoes. The shoes should of course be comfort and correct size that the feet will not suffer.