Jamaican Clothing

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, reggae and the Jamaican rum come to mind almost immediately when the name is mentioned. The temperatures switch from pleasant to unbearable is in a matter of minutes. Through the day, the temperature is warm. It gets cool by night-fall and towards early parts of the morning. This variation is due to the proximity to the sea.

Jamaican Sense of Clothing

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 reggae 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 that require 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 in Jamaica wear traditional Jamaican clothes which were most of the time hand-made. However, this trend was followed suite, predominantly by the older generation. 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 blouses are usually short-sleeved because of the weather.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 older women and individuals who frequent tourist attraction destinations dress in very colorful clothes to reflect the traditional Jamaican culture. The present Jamaica is however, very different with regards to its dressing sense. The modern culture penetrated, has had Jamaican women flaunting jeans and tank tops as well.

Jamaican Clothes for Men
Jamaican men wear pants and shirts, just like men in other parts of the world. However, the fabric used for the attire is different. It is natural fabric, that is used for the clothing. The fabrics sported by men, are not very colorful, but are more of sober yet classy. They are not fond of loud designs and contrasting color combinations. Men's fashion as mentioned, is toned down, with them sporting khakis, jeans, or shorts and thought-over color combinations with a sane sense of style. In case of the Rastafarian men, they are usually spotted with a tie-head and a colorful ensemble including red, green and gold as solid colors for their clothing.

Jamaican Clothes for Children
Jamaican children look as fashionable, 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 tie-heads 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, usually 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 in a Nutshell
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 the traditional 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 reggae and the rum - all scream quality of life and hospitality at its best!