Exclusive Interview With All You Need to Know About the Panamanian Pollera
In March 2020, I went on a trip to Panama. Unfortunately, it was cut short by the pandemic, but not before I got to learn about and try on traditional clothing from Panama like the pollera!
As some of you may know, while I’m abroad, I like to meet with designers or experts of traditional clothing. I think it’s such a great way to learn about other people and cultures.
And in some cases, I even get to try these amazing outfits on. The idea was inspired by my own background, as I’m a dual-citizen of Germany and the US and grew up being exposed to traditional clothing from my region known as the “Schwälmer Tracht.”
Trying these outfits on and sharing them on my website are my ways of teaching others about and highlighting other cultures so we can all learn together.
So in this post, I’ll be sharing everything I learned about traditional Panamanian women’s clothing. Plus, I’ve translated the interview I did with an expert on the topic, Mabel.
Hope you enjoy and learn something new!
Now, let's talk about the pollera Panameña
While altogether the pollera may look like a dress, it’s actually made up of a few separate pieces and lots of jewelry.
While I was there, Mabel wrote up a list for me including all the different parts of the outfit. Let’s talk about each of those and see if you can find them in the photos!
This traditional outfit includes the pollera skirt and ruffled top, plus all of the following:
- Bruja abierta – the long, open gold necklace with gold tassles on the ends
- Cabestrillo – gold necklace with coins or other decorations on it
- Cadena chata – long gold necklace often with a cross at the end
- Peinetón – gold head piece or hair comb at the back of the head
- Peineta de balcón – the smaller gold hair combs at the sides of the head
- Pescadito – gold necklace with a fish at the end of it
- Tapahueso – shorter, almost choker-like necklace often with black band or gold band around your neck and gold decoration
- Tembleques – the white flowers (and other decorative animals) made of beads or crystals that adorn your head
- Zarcillos – bold dangly gold earrings
- Zapatos de satén – satin flats with bow decoration
Keep reading to hear what our expert, Mabel (pictured below), had to say about this outfit and her shop.
Interview with mabel
How long does it take to make an outfit like this one?
“The time it takes to make one is about 6-12 months, depending on the kind it is because there’s the pollera zurcida, calada, talco al sol, talco en sombra, [etc.], so it depends on the technique that’s used.”
And is it something that many people know how to make?
“No. The reality is that not a lot of people know how. That varies depending on the region.
For example, it depends if your family knows how to make them and passes it on from generation to generation.”
How much does something like this cost?
“Just the pollera puts you at a cost ranging from $2,500 to $10,000 or $20,000, depending on the technique and the colors.”
When are these outfits used?
“When are they used? For example, they’re used for carnivals, national holidays, they could be used for an event like a wedding, a Quinceañera, a special occasion…they can be used at any time.”
How long have you had this shop here?
“We’ve already been here doing this work for over a year.”
And why did you start all of this?
“Why did we start? In reality, there is no business here in which they do this type of thing. It actually takes others about three hours in all to put everything on. We do everything express. We do it super quickly. It’s something that doesn’t take a lot of time and tourists can come take part in this activity.”
Brief History of the Pollera
While I didn’t get a chance to talk to Mabel about the history of the pollera, I did do a bit of research on its’ history. Here’s what I was able to find out.
The pollera in Panama actually originated from a dress that was worn by women in Spain in the 17th century.
Contrary to popular belief, it didn’t stem from the more well-known and elaborate court dress seen in pictures by Velazquez. Instead, it came from the daily house dress, which included a skirt with two or three ruffles and floral embroidery.
Considering the fact that Panama was under the rule of the Spanish empire for over 300 years (from 1513–1821), it’s not surprising the outfit made its’ way over to Panama and was eventually adopted as their own national, traditional clothing.
There, however, it was changed from the original Spanish version. As Panamanians all over the country began to wear it, the style slightly adapted from region to region.
This led to the many different kinds of Panamanian polleras there are today, such as the ones Mabel mentioned in our interview. However, the one I’m wearing as well as perhaps the pollera montuna seem to be the most common ones worn.
Want to try on a pollera too?
If you’re interested in learning more about traditional clothing from Panama and trying a pollera on yourself, you can!
Only catch is, you’ll have to be in Panama City, Panama to do it.
So if any of you are travelers and are planning on a trip to Panama, be sure to add this to your agenda! The shop/photo studio is called “Dress Like Panama” and is located in Casco Viejo, which is the historic district of Panama City.
Click here to check out their website and book an appointment with them. It’s such a fun and interesting experience that I’d highly recommend.
And if you see Mabel, be sure to tell her “hi” from me and tell her I sent you!
When you’re there, they take care of everything for you. They will, of course, supply you with the traditional outfit of your choice, but they also do your hair and even your makeup if you want!
And even better for those of you who (like me) never know how to pose for photos, they’ll help you out and position you to get the best photos possible.
The vibe inside is also really fun. The entire front of the store is open to the street, so you’ll get to see what’s happening in Casco Viejo around you while they play Panamanian music in the background.
Plus, don’t think this is just for the ladies! They have traditional outfits for men as well so they can join in on the fun. (I just didn’t talk about men’s outfits today since I didn’t get a good look at them or ask Mabel about them.)
Here are a few more photos from the experience so you know what to expect:
Short Video Montage & Interview:
Lastly, here’s a little video montage of the experience, including my interview with Mabel!
(I did my best to translate it, but had a hard time hearing all of it with the background music. If anyone finds a mistake, feel free to let me know.)
If you end up going to Dress Like Panama, please be sure to tell me how it goes! You can also feel free to ask me any other questions about it that I may have left out (in the comments or feel free to message me on Instagram).
Can’t wait to hear all about it!
So, after reading this…what are your thoughts about the Panamanian pollera? Had you heard of it before? Is this an activity you’d be interested in while traveling? Let me know in the comments!
Anyway, that’s it for this post. I hope you enjoyed it and learned something new. 🙂
Thanks for reading and see you next time!
Love,
Emily
P.S. – To read about more traditional outfits like this one, check out my other designer interviews here.
I also made a super easy DIY bikini for my trip to Panama made from eco-friendly recycled fabric. You can find the tutorial for it here.