Some dress code advices for flamenco April Fair.

One of the most important social, cultural and folkloric which takes place in Seville is the famous Feria de Abril (April Fair). An internationally renowned event that every year manages to attract more and more tourists willing to discover the soul of that Sevillan celebration of great tradition.

However, it is whether or not a visitor, you should know that it is necessary to go properly attired. Concretely, any woman should follow these recommendations:

• You must buy a flamenco dress that meets the trends prevailing at that time.

• Do not forget to polish, of course, your high heels, your flamenco shawl ring and earrings.

• Under no circumstances you should wear loose hair, the "gypsy" should absolutely opt for tied hair alternative to then place the corresponding flower.

• Make-up should be as natural as possible.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The summer fairs of Andalusia

All over the region of Andalusia, starting in late spring and lasting throughout the whole summer, there are uncountable fairs to visit since almost every city and town has its own, unique way to celebrate the fair.

What is typical of all the fairs of Andalusia is the tradition of casetas (tents) and flamenco dresses. Almost all women dress up in colorful flamenco dresses and men put on their most elegant suits.

The casetas are a big part of the fair where one goes together with family, friends etc and put up and decorate their own caseta where they serve tapas, drinks and dance all day and night during the whole week. If you visit during this time you will be really lucky to see all of the designs of flamenco costumes worn proudly by the local women.

Seville is the capital of Andalusia and the place where it has all started. Still, up to this day, every April Seville hosts a huge event during which all hotels raise their price 2-3 times higher than the normal rate and they are all fully booked.

Cordoba is another ancient city where the fair dates back to medieval times. The fair usually means that the shops are closed during the week, and that all the bars and restaurant move out to the street in the city. So the city center is one part of the fair but on the outskirts of Cordoba you can party in a huge, artificial ‘city’ - area of all the casetas and the traditional attractions found all over Europe such as carousels and other amusements. Cordoba’s fair happens in the end of May.

Feria of Malaga is another fair you should see at least once in your life. It takes place in August and it actually has two parts: Night Fair and Day Fair. Malaga divides into two different zones of party – Night Fair takes place in the Cortijo de Torres district and the Day Fair spread all around the historical part of the city centre.

Which flowers are in fashion this year? Hortensias and peonies.

Each flamenco dress can be accompanied with lot of accessories but the essential one is a flower pinned to hair. Traditionally roses and carnations were used, whether natural or fabric, always matching the material and color of the dress. In recent years, however, the flowers have changed and it’s good to  follow the new trends so you don’t look the same every year.

Peonies started to be popular couple of years ago. If your flamenco dress is made of reds and pinks, a natural peony in a similar color is a perfect match. What’s more it makes your look unique and elegant because of its special petals and facture of the flower.

Another flower that has been widely used in recent years, known for its beauty and versatility (it looks good with all kind of hairstyles) is the hydrangea (commonly known as hortensia). If you want more natural look you can choose less artificial colors such as white, pink or blue. They look very good on your hair, worn in a traditional way or above the ear as well.

If the flamenco dress is another color we can always choose accessories and supplements which will match the dress. Artificial hortensias or peonies come with all the colors you can imagine. If you already have one you can even paint it in the color you wish in order to fit into current trends.

The important thing is finding the right color and choose a right size of the flower that goes well with other accessories and that it looks natural and elegant. You can also use various small flowers and make a combination of different shades that contrast with the dress, using for example big hortensia in the middle and small flowers to form a bouquet around. Combining tradition and new trends will look outstanding in the Real de la Feria.

Mantilla – a traditional Spanish veil

Even though everybody recognizes world-famous Spanish dresses – it is not only the design of flamenco dresses that is so important for Spanish women. The tradition of flamenco dresses has started in XX century but not many people know that there is a part of Spanish costume which has a longer history. 

Mantilla is a significant element of Spanish culture and fashion – it’s a veil, cut in a shape of a circle, which edges are precisely decorated with lace. It is usually made of tulle, silk or just entirely with lace. Spanish women wear it on a top of their heads, so that its sides fall down on shoulders. In traditional Spanish version Mantilla is attached to hair with a big decorated comb called peineta.

Mantillas were born in the hot Spanish climate in Andalusia at the beginning of the seventeenth century and they have gained recognition among the high class very quickly. We can recognize them on many paintings of Velazquez or Goya. A huge fan of this type of veil was Queen Elizabeth II, but after her abdication in 1870, the habit of wearing mantilla began to fade. Primary it has symbolized woman's humility before God. Right now it is still strictly associated with catholic religion and tradition. However Spanish women started wearing it only during special occasions like funerals, weddings, Sunday masses but also during less religious events such as bullfights. Today mantilla is a mandatory headgear during official visits to Vatican.

Also during the celebration of famous Holy Week, we can see women dressed in flamenco dresses holding decorative black fans and rosaries. But it’s a tradition than during Holy Thursday they wear black Mantillas as well. It is an essential element of folk costume worn by women in some parts of Spain, so certainly it cannot be missed during Semana Santa. 

Flamenco dress: emblem of our country

The flamenco dress has always been an essential item in the closet of the Andalusia woman. However, in the past few years its fame has spread across Spain; and nowadays our country can be easily identified with this attire.

A whole new industry has been developed; making flamenco dresses even more famous and known around the world. Many designers, such as Asunción Peña, are succeeding and sharing their most precious designs with us. In 2013, his collection “Antojo de Feria” left us some valuable dresses such as the following ones: