What are gaucho clothes?

Gaucho Clothes is the term used to refer to the traditional clothing used by the gauchos who live in Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil. The gauchos are the cowboys of these South American countries.

These clothing items are today worn not only by the gauchos but by anybody who lives in the countryside and even in the cities.

Although we find distinctive regional features, the main elements are:

The alpargatas, which is a rope sole and canvas shoe. The alpargatas, in English known as espadrilles, were originally made with black canvas but are now produced with a wide range of colours and patterns; they are also made with a rubber sole.

The bombachas de campo, very strong pure cotton trousers. The best ever made horse riding trousers/pants. The bombachas de campo are made in different colours, styles and designs. The most popular colours are still the traditional: beige, black, white, dark blue and dark green. These trousers are immediately identifiable because of the button they have at the ankle which is used to narrow them.

The very fashionable gaucho pants similar to the capri pants are different because of this reason, they do not go down to the ankle and because they are worn mainly by women which is not the case of the bombacha de campo which is unisex.

Another item used by the gauchos is the poncho, used in winter to protect from the cold winters in the pampas. Then we have the gaucho hats which have regional differences in shape and style. Gauchos also wear boinas (berets) in their everyday activities.

Gaucho clothes is now a fashion because of its association with the polo and horse ridings environment. But even if as me you are not a gaucho, don't ride a horse, play polo or own a farm do try the gaucho clothes anyway, I do !

John Hunter