Bring out the flamenco dress and head for the Old Town – it’s Feria time in Marbella! Those from Andalucia or, in fact, anyone who really wants to enter into the spirit of the “feria” dress up in their finery. Enthusiastic Spaniards dance through the streets in their best feria dresses and inspire the uninspired to get up and dance and participate in the lively party!
The traditional Spanish gypsy form of dress is the trademark image of Andalusia, and even of Spain, an image of provocative romance. The flamboyant and sexy Flamenco dresses that the Spanish women take such pride in are called “Trajes de farales”, always brightly colored with many layers of ruffles in the skirt and sleeves that swish around as they walk and dance.
A large shawl called a manton is often worn too, intricately hand embroidered with floral patterns. With or without ruffles, polka dots (lunares) or flowers the trajes are always bold and beautiful.
Rich reds, purlples, greens and turquoise contrast against the striking black hair of many Spanish women. Women take great care in their fiesta dresses and equal care with their matching accessories of large earrings and choice of combs and carnation flowers that adorn their hair.
Though the dresses virtually cover a woman from neck to foot, it seductively hugs the beautiful their figures. It is hard to believe that women can dance Flamenco so expressively and aggressively with these restrictive outfits. Thus, adding to the drama and beauty of the dance.
Legend says that when the gypsies originally migrated to Spain, some five centuries ago, they arrived in this manner of dress. Though slight transformations have appeared stylistically, the style has virtually remained unchanged.
Andalucia has a history rich of romanticized stories of bandoleros (rebels/theives) and vaqueros (cowboys) riding through the arid plains and Sierra Nevadas sleeping in caves along the way. The vaqueros have a distinct costume known as the “traje corto” which is short jacket worn with thight highwaisted pants, white shirt, coloured waistband, boots and the notable wide brimmed hat known as the sombrero de alanche.
The famous bandoleros where the similar highwaisted pants and top but with famous red bandana tied around their head. At the local feria you still will see horsemen dressed in this attire with their beautifully adorned horses.
Midday at the fair is the perfect place to stare at all the beauties from Marbella dressed so elegantly in gypsy dress. The streets are a kaleidoscope of all the colors of the rainbow flowing like a river. Age makes no difference whatsoever, everybody sings and dances. Grace and happiness flow all over the place.
