Quinceanera Dresses
Alexandra Felix
Embedded Files
Under The Surface
Under The Surface
Credits: Pebeto AC
As a young girl, growing up in a Mexican household was a true blessing. The day-to-day lifestyle and the culture altogether made even the littlest of moments special. Ever since I was a little girl, seeing teenage girls in their beautiful and detailed dresses on their 15th birthday was breathtaking. Years filled with the dream of one day being in that spot and having the opportunity to celebrate my big day until it was finally my turn.
-
On April 15, 2023, my parents' hard work and effort paid off and made it possible for me to have a quinceañera. On this day, my quinceañera was held at a ranch where family and friends gathered to see me in my beautiful baby pink dress and to make this day about me. From small details like desserts to the biggest of ones like the decor made my day just perfect, I wouldn’t have changed it for the world. To be able to have the privilege to one of these parties is such an honor, as a Latina woman I am more than proud of where I come from and all the traditions that come with it.
Credits: Pebeto AC
HISTORY
The ongoing tradition of quinceaneras in Latin American families has developed and expanded over time to exemplify a teenage girl growing into a woman. Although ideas have changed and traditions have traveled, the quinceanera dress has found its way to be a pivotal part of the grand celebration.
In the past, a quinceanera was a way to tell everyone that a girl was old enough to get married. This celebration set up each girl for an upcoming life filled with newly wedded ideas. Since these parties were first meant for their marriage potential, dresses would ideally be pink or white just as a bride-to-be would wear on their big day. The celebration was simple but nice and let everyone know that she was becoming an adult and being introduced to potential husbands. Girls who wore dresses coming from Spanish culture were thought to be a good way to attract husbands. As for this, the young girls felt like princesses in their luxurious gowns. After explaining the strange reasoning behind huge dresses, the writer of Prom Girl adds that “quinceaneras likely looked and felt like royalty when decked out in lavish quince ball gowns.”
In the 20th century, Latin American families migrated to the U.S. bringing their traditions along with them as they looked for financial support. This change made it possible for everything, all types of social classes, to celebrate these girls, and the tradition of these dresses proceeds. Ever since their migration, quinceaneras have evolved and have begun to incorporate different aspects of their own identity and culture. Because of this, neighboring communities have been able to participate and attend these parties, celebrating the young girl.
In The Making
Credits: Quinceanera.com
The making of a quinceañera dress is not an easy job and only dedicated, careful, and creative hands can make it happen. From choosing fabrics and colors to adding fine details, the long process and time-consuming labor of a quinceañera dress make it all worth it in the end. Some of the celebrants decide that the pre-designed quinceañera dresses that are displayed are not for them, because of this some talk to their parents and agree to connect with dress designers to make their dresses from scratch, incorporating new aspects and details to make their dream dress.
1. BRAINSTORMING
During this step, designers take the time to draw out ideas and visions. They get inspiration from traditional norms, current trends, and style, or very importantly, the personality and facade of the young girl. Author, Ali Bajwa, writes in his article “A Brief History of Quinceanera Dresses”, that “quinceaneras have more options than ever when it comes to choosing their dress.” Therefore, creating the perfect dream dress can be harder than it seems.
2. THE FABRICS
The personality of one and their party’s theme greatly relies on the colors and tones one chooses to illustrate their quinceanera with. Colors like pink and white were to be normally picked but now that trends are thriving and different ideas are being brought, dress colors are extravagantly changing to one's identity.
3. IN THE MAKING
Making a dress unique and having it come to life requires lots of details like adding beads, stitching in intricate designs, and patches in the shape of flowers and such.
4. ON THE MODEL
Ensuring that the dress fits perfectly onto the silhouette takes precise accommodations when the quinceañera is being fitted. Appointments like these are necessary to complement one's body and make them stand out.
5. FINAL TOUCHES
As the big day approaches, the final thing the quinceanera has to do is go see her dress in its final draft and finally be able to idealize her big day. The final step not only brings emotions to one but also shows appreciation towards the designers who put their all into reflecting her identity and her evolving into a woman.
As they’re concluding their article on the behind-the-scenes of manufacturing a quinceanera dress and the meaning that it then brings, Quinceanera.com adds that they are not just creating a dress “but a lasting memory of a special milestone.”
Then & Now
As quinceanera dresses have been and are evolving, their significance and importance are enhancing daily and change by change. Colors and sizes are changing but regardless, culture and tradition are still being incorporated.
Credits: Epay
Credits: Epay
Then
Then
Back in Spain during the 1800s, quinceanera dresses were purposely made to look very big and full. Girls were intended to wear large dresses to show off when they were being presented to society. The dresses consisted of lots of layers under the main dress to make the dress puffier and to put it all together, they wore tight corset tops. Since many fabric options weren’t available, they were limited to wool but they made this work and stuck to the accustomed and even remained using long sleeves instead of short sleeves and other top types.
Credits: Deja Vu Boutique
Credits: Deja Vu Boutique
Now
Now
Over a period of time, trends and customs of quinceaneras that came from Spain made their way into Latin America. For the girls coming from wealthy families, it was a moment of wealth to spend a lot of their money on luxurious decorations and dresses as they believed that the more extravagant, then it was better. Since quinceaneras have been around, so many trending designs have started giving one more option based on size, color, and sometimes even uncommon things like 2 pieces of sorts.
Conclusion
The beauty of a quinceanera dress contains the image of a young teenage girl and her incoming experiences attached to womanhood. Not only demonstrating the coming of age but also highlighting the culture behind it. The dedication put into making these dresses resembles the effect that time has had on them and has greatly emphasized fashion trends applied to them. All in all, the celebration of the quinceanera shows pride and confidence in communities and ties traditions together amplifying Latin American culture.
Credits: Pebeto AC
Page updated
Report abuse