Toreador suit

probably Mexican

Not on view

The tradition of bullfighting spread to Mexico with the Spanish occupation in the 16th century. The traditional traje de luces or suit of lights consists of fitted knee-length pants, vest, jacket, tie, pink stockings, and cape, and has remained unchanged for nearly two hundred years. The suits are quite expensive and take up to a month to create, with several seamstresses working in conjunction. The most traditional are densely embroidered in metallic gold and silver braid, beads, and sequins.

Toreador suit, silk, metal, glass, probably Mexican

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