Mexican poncho and sombrero belong to the brightest types of Mexican clothes. That's why speaking about Mexican clothes I find it important to draw your attention to them.
Mexican poncho is one of the simple Mexican clothes, a garment designed especially for keeping the human body dry during the rain. It looks like a single large sheet of fabric with a certain opening for human head and sometimes - even for the arms. By the way some kinds of Mexican ponchos have hoods attached.
Some manufacturers of truly Mexican clothes nowadays started to produce various types of poncho alternatives which are designed as fashion accessories. It goes without saying they have the same shape but are made of different material. They are generally made of yarn or wool, crocheted or knitted. No doubt, alternative Mexican ponchos are designed to look extremely fashionable and be comfortable and loose rather than ward of rain. Lots of people prefer them to be used as Mexican souvenirs.
Speaking about Mexican poncho, I can't but tell you a few words about other names of these clothes: chamanto (in central Chile), kotze (in Austria), paenula (in the old Rome), kasel (one of the vestments of the Catholic Church, pelerine, etc.
It's impossible to speak about Mexican clothes and not to describe you the peculiarities of Mexican sombrero - a type of hat originated a long time ago in Mexico. But it was also worn in Spain. According to the well-known sombrero definition this word comes is considered to be derived from the Spanish word "sombra" which means "shadow" or "shade". So, it's evident that sombrero is an English word which was long ago loaned from Spanish language. In Spain this word has always meant a hat with brim. As a matter of fact the first people to wear this option were apparently the workers in Mexico and United States of America.
When the weather is humid and hot, there are no trees around you will likely need sombrero - the most practical and handiest hat you can have. The necessary shade will always stay with you if you're wearing a Mexican sombrero. Be aware that Mexicans believe that wearing a sombrero without certain sandals is like eating pizza without cheese. So, you definitely need sandals if you're wearing a Mexico sombrero.
This kind of hat has a high crown and very wide brim which is used for certain protection from the sun. As a matter of fact sombreros for peasants are made of straw, and wealthier people are known to wear sombreros which are made of felt, a more quality and expensive material. It's interesting to admit that later sombrero was adopted and modified into the cowboy hat by American southwest cowboys.
In conclusion it's necessary to admit that nowadays Mexican hats are often used as visuals for laziness. At the same time it is always a desired gift at various celebrations and parties. Mexican clothes are rarely taken seriously and can no longer carry a message of hardworking Mexicans.
Any kind of Mexican clothes including poncho, hats and different accessories have become pretty popular options in web-stores which are specialized fine art and folk art from Mexico. It's a shame that almost all traditions follow such path to failure!