Dia De Los Muertos
Kast Capris (c/o)** (also available as a legging) | Kit and Ace Top (s/o in black, but here it is in different colors, similar black one here) | Nike Air Max Thea Shoe | OPI Get in the Espresso Lane Nail Polish | Kendra Scott Earrings | Kendra Scott Cuff
**Get 20% off + Free Shipping w/code "ELLESTYLE" at checkout on KastFitnessWear.com
Growing up in Garland, Texas, I was introduced to Mexican culture at a very young age. My public school self was watching Spanish videos as early as the second grade! (Anyone else watch Perro Pepe?) I took Spanish 1 over the course of 7th and 8th grade at Austin Academy, Spanish 2-4 freshmen through junior year at Garland High School ( took a break from Spanish 5 my senior year), then took 3 more semesters of Spanish a Baylor University. Not to mention, my mom speaks to me and my sister in a sort of Spanglish from time to time! All to say, when you are immersed in learning a language, it's equally as important to learn the culture.
I'm pretty sure the first time I really learned what Dia de los Muertos was, I was in the 7th grade. We studied the rich history and traditions of it in the Mexican culture and how it's NOT the same thing as Halloween.
When I found these A D O R A B L E leggings, I knew I had to cover Dia De Los Muertos on the blog. DDLM is a celebration of life in the Mexican culture. They will often build ofrendas (offerings) to commemorate loved ones lost, as well as to celebrate death as a part of life. The playful nature of the decor and costumes is to essentially laugh in the face of death. Life is short, so you might as well enjoy it. Traditionally, they make/buy Calaveras de Azucar (sugar skulls, p.s. one of my favorite Dallas Mexican taco joints is called Sugar Skull Cafe) and pan de muerto (dead bread, often with cross shapes on them), to eat and to place on the shrines. Additionally on the alters, you will see Mexican marigolds, photos, and objects that were symbolic to the deceased.
Unless you've been living under a rock, you know that the Mexican skull has been trending, as of late. Last Halloween it was a super popular costume and that carried into this year as well. But do you know what that is even called or what it even means?
La Catrina is the face of the female skeleton today. She is a female "dandy" skeleton (La Calavera Catrina) that was drawn by Jose Guadalupe Posado, to mock the rich. Unlike American skulls and skeletons, she was and still is a face of political and cultural significance. While Posado's work wasn't really known while he was alive, it was later rediscovered by another Mexican artist, Diego Rivera. You may know Diego from some of his work, but also as the husband of the ever popular Frida Kahlo. (yes, we studied Spanish art in class, too!)
While Dia De Los Muertos is a Mexican holiday, other cultures celebrate something similar. Brazil has "Finados" as their day of the dead, which follows All Saints Day. (Mexico celebrates DDLM November 1-2. Brazil celebrates Finados November 2, as All Saints Day is November 1) If you read my post from Friday, then you understand why this is significant. (Didn't read it? Catch up here) My capris are designed and constructed in Brazil! Kast, the company who makes them, is headquartered in Hawaii, but looks to Brazil for all of their inspiration. Don't forget, you can get these adorable capris and/or anything on their site for 20% off + Free Shipping now through November 10th, with code "ELLE STYLE"!
Isn't it neat how many cultural things affect trends? It is one of my favorite parts of fashion. Do you celebrate Dia De Los Muertos? What makes it special to you?
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