Textiles - Description

This is an authentic vintage handwoven huipil textile currently for sale at the Chichicastenango and Panajachel textiles markets in Guatemala. These huipiles are generally purchased by Mayan women as going out wear, and worn on special occasions. Some huiples are ceremonial.

Huipiles are 1 or 2 rectangular woven panels sewn together with the head hole cut in the middle. They are not meant to be fitted and have no stretch in the fabric.

They are predominantly cotton, and very occasionally silk or wool. The Mayan women wear them tucked into a high waisted skirt, but westerners usually wear them untucked or as ponchos with the side seams open.