pollera (Skirt)

The tradition of regionally distinctive dress is still a feature of some of the remote villages of highland Peru. The costumes are a mixture of Spanish influence with surviving indigenous aspects and materials. This skirt is worn at fiestas with up to 8 underskirts for dancing. May also have been worn inside out on ordinary days.

worn by women

Skirt made of black gathered wool with horizontal bands of red, blue, white, yellow, blue-green, light green, dark green and light red embroidery of butterflies, diamonds, flowers, zigzags, separated by horizontal pleats. The waistband is of red, white, and green plaid fabric with ties at the ends and two side plackets outlined in light red. There is an orange embroidered ribbon at the bottom with birds and flowers in purple, yellow, grey, and green. A narrow green band at the hem is embroidered with repeated circles in white. The hem is finished with off-white wool facing on the reverse.