Lyla Dejesus
Filipino weddings are a vibrant blend of traditional customs and modern influences, reflecting the country's rich history and cultural diversity. One notable aspect is the attire, which often includes traditional Filipino garments such as the Barong Tagalog and the Terno or Filipiniana for women. The Barong Tagalog, considered the Philippines' national dress, is a lightweight garment typically made from pineapple fibre and worn at formal events. The Terno or Filipiniana is a symbol of elegance and national pride, known for its distinct butterfly sleeves and intricate embroidery. Today, Filipino weddings showcase a spectrum of styles, from billowing white dresses to modern interpretations of the Terno, as couples find unique ways to celebrate their heritage and cultural identity through their wedding attire.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Traditional Filipino wedding dress for men | Barong Tagalog |
| Traditional Filipino wedding dress for women | Maria Clara gown, Baro't Saya |
| Modern Filipino wedding dress for men and women | Barong Tagalog |
| Modern Filipino wedding dress for women | Terno, Filipiniana |
| Fabric | Piña (pineapple fiber), jusi (silk), silk organza, duchess satin |
| Style | Butterfly sleeves, embroidered |
| Dress code | Conservative, modest |
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What You'll Learn
The Barong Tagalog
The quality of the fabric and the intricacy of the embroidery are often signs of the status and wealth of the wearer. The embroidery is usually placed on the front of the shirt, with various techniques used, including calado and doble calado (types of openwork drawn thread embroidery), encajes de bolilio (Venetian lace), and sombrado (shadow embroidery). The Barong Tagalog can also feature other types of ornamentation, such as alforza (pleats) and suksuk (weft floats).
The process of creating a Barong Tagalog is time-consuming and tedious, particularly when the fabric is made from piña. The Aklanons of western Panay are acknowledged as the pioneers of piña weaving, which involves stripping the epidermis of the leaves of the red Visayan pineapple using a shard of Chinese porcelain. The lustrous coarse fibre called bastos is then extracted by hand, and the next layer, the liniwan, is obtained using a coconut shell. The fibre is ivory white and undergoes degumming, which includes repeated rinsing, beating, and air-drying. When completely dried, each strand is knotted to produce long continuous threads, and the process of weaving the warp and weft can take weeks.
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The Maria Clara gown
The camisa is a collarless waist-length blouse with wrist-length, richly embroidered flowing bell sleeves. The pañuelo is a piece of starched square cloth, either opaque or made from the same material as the camisa, folded several times and placed over the shoulders. It serves as an accent piece due to its embellishments and the pin securing it in place. The saya is a skirt shaped like a "cupola", beginning at the waist and reaching the floor. The tapis is a knee-length over-skirt that hugs the hips and is typically made of opaque fabrics such as muslin and madras cloth. It is worn for modesty, as it prevents the lower body from being visible through the sheer skirt material.
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The Terno dress
In the late 1800s and early 1900s, the beginnings of the Terno emerged as the sleeves of the blouse began to take shape and move away from the body with pleating on the shoulders. By the mid-1900s, the Terno could be defined as a one-piece dress with butterfly sleeves attached, worn by fashionable women during the day and evening. The iconic butterfly sleeves typically have 8-14 pleats to create a round shape, with a sleeve height of at least 3 inches.
Choosing a Terno wedding dress is a powerful statement of identity and heritage. It is an opportunity to honour one's Filipino roots and make a unique fashion statement on a special day. The Terno exemplifies the beauty of Filipino culture, weaving together history, identity, and craftsmanship. As Filipino weddings continue to evolve, the Terno remains a timeless reminder of the nation's rich cultural landscape and the enduring spirit of its people.
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The Baro't Saya
By the early 20th century, the Baro't Saya became a symbol of traditional Filipino dress and was worn on special occasions. It was popularised as a symbol of the ideal Filipino woman—beautiful, conservative, and adherent to Catholic values. Today, the Baro't Saya is worn during pageants, theatrical performances, and occasionally as bridal or political attire. It continues to be a cherished part of Filipino identity and culture.
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Modern Filipiniana wedding gowns
The traditional Filipino wedding dress, the "Maria Clara", is a gown that is elegant and conservative, often adorned with intricate embroidery and made from piña or jusi fabric. The Terno is another traditional Filipino wedding dress that is known for its distinct butterfly sleeves. Modern Filipiniana wedding gowns are a fusion of traditional customs and modern influences, reflecting the country's rich history and cultural diversity.
Filipiniana wedding gowns often showcase intricate embroidered details, a nod to the traditional bridal dress. Some modern gowns incorporate butterfly sleeves, a signature element of the Terno dress, seamlessly integrating Filipino craftsmanship with timeless fashion. This blend of old and new ensures that the Terno remains relevant and cherished in Filipino culture.
Brides seeking to honour their Filipino heritage may opt for a modern rendition of the Maria Clara or Terno, pairing their gown with Filipino accessories. The Barong Tagalog, a lightweight embroidered shirt, is also a popular choice for both men and women at Filipino weddings. It is typically made from sheer and lightweight fabric, such as pineapple fibre (piña) or jusi, a textile blend of silk and cotton.
Ultimately, the choice of wedding attire is unique to each couple, and modern Filipiniana wedding gowns offer a spectrum of styles, from billowing white dresses to regal ternos, allowing brides to celebrate their heritage with pride and elegance.
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Frequently asked questions
The traditional Filipino wedding dress for women is called the "Baro't Saya", which consists of a long skirt that sits high on the waist and a cropped box top with puffy long sleeves. The modern term for this dress is Filipiniana.
Traditional Filipinianas are often made of pineapple fibre (piña) and adorned with intricate embroidery.
The Barong Tagalog is a lightweight embroidered shirt that is considered the national dress of the Philippines. It is typically preferred by men, but women have also begun to wear this style.
The finest Barong Tagalogs are made of pineapple fibre (piña) in neutral shades like white or cream. A popular and affordable alternative is jusi, a textile blend of silk, cotton, and abaca.
Modern Filipino brides may opt for a Terno dress, which is characterised by its distinct butterfly sleeves. The Terno dress combines traditional elements with modern styles, incorporating various fabrics, patterns, and cuts while preserving the signature sleeves.
