Early Mayan clothing can be seen depicted on many of the buildings and sculptures from this civilization. We can see the male figures wearing a loincloth sometimes paired with a cloak like garment that is draped around the upper body. The decoration on these items would depend on the social status of the wearer.¹ Women are shown wearing wrap skirts and with or without a huipil which is a poncho like tunic.¹

These garments would be dye using natural dyes and embellished with items like feathers, gem stones, jaguar leathers, or colorued stitching. During the classic period of Mayan culture they are at the strongest the empire ever will be. This is before the Spanish reached the shores which would cause large changes in the culture and as a result the clothing.²

Clothing during this period was heavily influenced by religious beliefs and practices. Many of the decoration of the garments were images and designs which reflected parts of the religious ceremonies for the time of the year.³

1. Mayans and Tikal, (Ret. 2024), Mayan Clothing, https://mayansandtikal.com/mayan-clothing/
2. Sam Nobel Museum, (Ret. 2024) Classic and Postclassic Periods, University of Oklahoma, https://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/collections-and-research/ethnology/mayan-textiles/mayan-textiles-background/mayan-history/classic/
3. BBC, (Ret. 2024), What did the ancient Maya wear?, BBC Bitesize, https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/topics/zq6svcw/articles/z2njqfr#z9666g8
4. Pyne, L., (2020, July/August), From heat to toe in the Ancient Mayan world, Archeology Magazine, https://archaeology.org/collection/from-head-to-toe-in-the-ancient-maya-world/