How to Create Your Own Cinco de Mayo Mexican-Style Outfit
It’s fun to dress up to go out for Mexican food and drink on or around Cinco de Mayo. (I like to avoid holiday crowds and celebrate on a different day.) Mexican is my favorite ethnic food choice. We have many authentic Mexican restaurants in and around Detroit, especially in Mexican Town. I’ve collected the style elements here to help you create your own Mexican-style outfit for your fiesta!
Do You Know What Cinco de Mayo is Celebrating?
Why are we celebrating Cinco de Mayo anyway, other than it’s fun? USA Today explained Cinco de Mayo to us American party-goers in a short and sweet way:
“Cinco de Mayo marks Mexico’s against-all-odds victory against invading French troops in 1862.
“But to some Americans, it’s simply Cinco de Drinko, an excuse to party with little to no understanding of what the Mexican holiday celebrates. Many who think they know what Cinco de Mayo is about wrongly assume it’s Mexico’s Independence Day. (It’s not.)”
— From “What Is Cinco de Mayo? The holiday’s origin and why it’s celebrated in Mexico, US” by Amanda Lee Myers
Red, white and green are the colors of the Mexican flag, so they are often incorporated into the celebrations of the day, including personal dress. But bright colors express great excitement, so don’t feel that you have to stay with only three. Go ahead and wear your favorite bright colors and prints.
How to Create a Mexican-Style Outfit
You don’t have to buy anything if you don’t want to. Wear what you have. Choose anything from the elements of style below. You’re likely to have something that’s in this list already.
It’s up to you to choose whether less is more or more is more. Just don’t turn it into a full-blown costume unless you’re going to a party that requires one. The way I’ll be building an outfit for Cinco de Mayo is by choosing one or two items from the following list and combining them with what I would normally wear to go out.
Mexican Style Elements: Choose One or More
This dress is perfect because it has puffy sleeves and is in two shades of green.
- Puffy sleeves
- An off-the-shoulder dress
A puff-sleeve or ruffled top and brightly-colored and printed, long, full skirt are a perfect pairing. Wear a wide-banded belt and put your hair up to complete this Mexican-style outfit formula.
3. An off-the-shoulder ruffled top, especially when paired with a tiered skirt.
4. A high-low dress or skirt
This white dress with splashy red and green florals has all the colors of the Mexican flag.
5. A floral dress, especially with a red, green or white ground
6. Pom poms and embroidery
Mexican ranchero fashion is a Western style named after cowboys who worked on the ranch. See my post on Western style HERE for more inspiration.
7. Denim is a staple in Mexican ranchero fashion. So anything denim goes, even denim on denim.
8. An embroidered tunic or blouse with dark wash jeans to dress it up. A peasant blouse would work well in this case.
This outfit combines several elements of a Mexican-style look. The floral peasant blouse with ruffled cuffs is evening ready in a semi-sheer material. Add a wide-brimmed tan hat as you might do if you were in sunny Mexico. Blue jeans contribute ranchero style to any Mexican outfit.
9. A ruffled top, dress and/or skirt
A red, white or green dress celebrates the victory of the Mexican flag.
10. A red dress, such as a red sheath
11. A white dress, accessorized with red and green
This white 3D floral midi skirt combined with a frilly puff-sleeve blouse resembles a Mexican-style white dress.
12. A maxi or midi skirt worn with a poet shirt or blouse with billowy sleeves or ruffled cuffs. Even better with red, green and white trims or embroidery.
13. A tiered skirt or dress
Here are three elements of Mexican style. First and foremost, this artisanal poncho is authentically Mexican in a festive red. Secondly, leather is often worn in Latinx style so the pants pair perfectly with the poncho. Thirdly, the tassel earrings are bright and a common accessory in Mexico, as are the mala necklaces (a wooden bead necklace with a tassel of threads.)
14. A poncho.
Huaraches are traditional Mexican sandals.
15. Shoes: Go for open-toe shoes, sandals (such as beige heeled sandals,) espadrilles or huaraches. If you’re doing the ranchero look, wear cowboy boots.
A woven bag made of straw with brightly colored fruits decorating it is a cute Mexican-style accessory.
16. Textures: Try crochet, fringe and/or raffia, especially in accessories.
17. Accessories: Some Mexican-style accessories are tassel earrings, a mala necklace, colorful beaded bracelets, a flower in your hair, a colorful embroidered shawl, etc.
Happy Cinco de Mayo!
— Inspired by “Cinco de Mayo Outfit Ideas for Women Over 50” at High Latitude Style.
Let’s Connect!
I hope this information and the examples here help you to create a wonderful Mexican-style outfit for your next Cinco de Mayo fiesta. I’d love to hear how your outfit turns out. Which ideas do you like best? What outfit items do you already have and which ones would you like to buy? Please leave a reply below!
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Angie
Since Cinco de Mayo fell on Orthodox Easter this year, I am wearing white!
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
Perfect for both occasions!
Now I feel sad that we don’t have any Cinco de Mayo plans, lol. I love so many of the options that you put together because they pay homage to Mexico without being stereotypical Mexican. Those rose gold huaraches are fun, and the pink sleeveless dress from the Latina-owned company is wonderful for anytime during the summer!
I already went out with my husband for Mexican dinner and drinks. So this morning I was thinking, “what the heck, why can’t I dress Mexican-style anytime?” The Latina designers are making clothes to wear anytime, so I can wear outfits like that whenever I want, too!
What gorgeous outfits, Angie! You always do such excellent work!
Thank you, Lola!