Jamaican Clothing

Factors that influence Jamaican Clothes:

Jamaican clothes are as exciting and flamboyant as the mood of the place. Jamaica is celebrated by tourists from all over the world as the land of the sun and sea! The coconut palms and the Jamaican rum come to mind almost immediately when the name is mentioned. The temperatures switch from pleasant to unbearable in a matter of minutes. Through the day the temperature is warm. It gets cool by nigh-fall and towards early parts of the morning. This variation is due to the proximity to the sea.

Jamaican clothes are observed to be very colorful and vibrant and loose and comfortable. The kind worn by UB40 and Bob Marley! Jamaica is synonymous with the calypso and rum and the mood is generally light and foot-loose-and-fancy-free. The people run traditional family businesses and own little eating places that are almost always crowded with tourists. The coconut groves give the people additional income from the natural produce and the need to handle everything from agriculture to beach side inns requires the locals to be comfortable.

Jamaican clothes for women:

The basic trend of long skirts and scarves seen in many other cultures around the world is also seen Jamaica. The women wear traditional Jamaican clothes which are most of the time hand made. They wear a skirt, a blouse and a head scarf that is made out of Calico. Calico is a sort of cotton cloth locally made and marketed. The scarf is draped in a particular way. The piece of material is folded in half and tied around the head and then tucked, to prevent it from slipping off. The women dress in very colorful clothes. The blouses are usually short sleeved because of the weather.

Jamaican clothes for men:

Jamaican men wear trousers and shirts, just like men in other parts of the world. However, the fabric used for the attire is different. The fabrics sported by men are as colorful as those flaunted by the women and children. They love designs with flowers, loud colors flaunting sailing boats and swaying coconut palms and the sun and sea. The men wear short or long trousers and even knee length ones. There is little or no difference in the formal and informal clothing and again the reason is the weather.

Jamaican clothes for children:

Jamaican children look as colorful as the men and women. They are dressed most of the time in flimsy attire to beat the heat. The little boys wear banyan like or short sleeved shirts or t-shirts and short pants. They are seen sporting bandanas whenever the heat becomes unbearable. The little girls wear short dresses or shorts and t-shirts and are as flamboyant as the boys. Both, the girls and the boys, sport short hair.

Jamaican footwear:

The footwear of the men, women and children is open and more sandal-like. Their dress sense greatly compliments their laid back life styles and affinity to nature. The Jamaican footwear is usually flat, but young girls can be seen flaunting high heeled block shoes. Older women wear moccasin like footwear that are slip-ons and the men wear open slippers like those observed in the Orient.

Jamaican fashion:

Just like the fashion trends are changing the world over, so are the fabrics and patterns in Jamaica. The younger generation prefers sober colors and combinations. The older people opt for loud and dark clothing. The fashion trends are changing rapidly in Jamaica and today, there are a number of dedicated designers who are catering to the shift in personal preferences and the influence of the tourists.

Jamaica is a land close to nature’s heart and the people are just as accommodating as Mother Nature! Tourism and the resultant shift in the way of life of the locals are largely affecting Jamaican fashion. The clothes, the calypso and the rum – all scream quality of life and hospitality at its best!