Mariachi Clothing and Popularity (History Pt 2)

Since the 1930’s, the Mariachi outfits consisted of a short cut jacket and wool boot-cut pants to allow the wearer to don riding boots. Often the outfit is black with white or gold trim, but can be seen with red coats or pants as well as other various colors. This ensemble is called a traje de charro. Previous outfits were called calzones de manta and huaraches. These outfits were white cotton pants and shirts with leather sandals. This was meant to resemble and represent the clothing lowest class in Jaliso wore.

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  An example of a traje de charro

  Traje: The custom tailored suit worn by Mariachi members.

• Plata: This is the silver or gold plated adornments throughout the coat and the pants or skirt of the outfit.
• Greca: Greca is another style of adornment. It entails fancy stitching.

The colors of traje de charro outfits today vary, but Mariachi Allegra ensures the authenticity of the outfits by having them custom made in Mexico.

Some examples of greca patterns.

Mariachi was not always as popular as it is today. Due to this style being the music of the country people, they were not considered professional until the 1930’s and the slight variances in styles stayed in their respective regions. Before the 1930’s a Mariachi was asked to play a presidential inauguration in Mexico City and after that, the Mariachi was considered significantly more professional.

The Mariaci Vargas became one of the most famous and trail blazing Mariachi thanks to Silvestre Vargas (the successor of his father) beginning in 1928. He began a type of standardization of Mariachi. He made sure all of the performers could read sheet music and composed many sones. Due to this standardization and increased professionalism Mariachi Vargas began performing for radio and film with added instruments and a set of general guidelines to follow, Mariachi Vargas helped bring Mariachi to the spotlight.

Today and in the earlier days, Mariachi plays at various occasions. For instances of courtship, Mariachi will play serenatas (translation: serenade) in situations where a young male seeks the affection of a young female but they are not allowed to see one another. In this circumstance, the male will hire Mariachi to send a message of love to his sweetheart. On days of celebrations multiple Mariachis will be placed throughout the streets, often below windows of citizens the celebration involves, to play music.

In the Mexican tradition, Marichi is heavily involved in the Roman Catholic Church Mass service. A Mariachi folk mass (Misa Panamericana) is sung in Spanish and uses traditional Mariachi instruments to interpret the service. This idea began in 1966 by the Canadian priest Father Juan Marco Leclerc and it took off and is now very common throughout the US and Mexico.

Other events Mariachi plays at include: baptisms, weddings, quinceaneras, funerals, and patriotic holidays.

Call Mariachi Allegra de Tucson today to schedule a wonderful Marichi for your celebratory needs! Summer is the perfect time to get this historic and beautiful sounding group to play for your parties and celebrations! No event is too big or too small for us to make it memorable!