Aztec Clothing

Aztec clothing was about as diverse and different than our clothing today. Depending on social ranking, one could be able to wear the most elaborate of costumes adorned with rare jewels and feathers or the simplest mantles for everyday tasks. The basic Aztec clothing was the loin cloth, which was essentially a rectangle worn between the thighs. It was normally made of (imported) cotton for middle class citizens, and maguey fiber for slaves and lower class people. The Maguey fiber material was used for most all the slaves and lower class people’s attire. Aztec women wore short sleeve or no sleeve shirts with skirts, and the same sort of loin cloth underneath to protect and cover the genital area. Aztec clothing was minimal because of the weather conditions, but the clothing each Aztec wore defined who they were in society. Cotton was pretty readily available to most people, and the higher the rank in society, the better quality one could afford. Ancient Aztec clothing was also dyed brilliant and vibrant colors, which is a practice still used in tradition Mexican clothing today.

The merchant class had a lot of leeway with what they could wear. Aztec men’s clothing could also include a cape of sorts tied around the shoulders. Many merchants wore these capes in a decorative fashion to set them apart from the commoners. Aztec warriors wore elaborate clothing adorned with jewels, and then they had their soldier’s uniform, which represented their ranking. The king and all the royal family were always the most elaborately dressed from head to toe with sandals and jewelry.