WTW for a quinceanera in Mexico - YouLookFab Forum

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WTW for a quinceanera in Mexico

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Long story short: a last-minute trip to Mexico (including a couple of days in San Miguel de Allende!) for a few days will include a quinceanera party for the daughter of someone dear to us. They live in a remote rural area and are a family of modest means, so I want to strike the right balance -- not overdressed, but not underdressed. I also want to pack as lightly as possible. It looks like daytime temps will be in the 70s, but going down as low as the 40s at night.

Any suggestions?

Dressing

19 replies

Latest reply was from Stagiaire Fash

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

The
quinceanera parties I've seen have been pretty dressy - even in more rural areas. It's a lot like wedding attire or other church type events, but I guess you would want to be in less bright colors than the family and daughter so you don't stand out, esp. if you will be in group photos. Navy, deep teal, subtle florals would all probably work. Not sure about black but the men may be in their best dark suits. I think you could wear a pants outfit or a dress and fit in fine either way.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I'm wondering if I should take one of my husband's sport jackets. I don't think he has anything like that at the ranch (he will be flying from TX; I'll be meeting him at the DFW airport and flying down with him).

Joyce B

Veteran

Maybe ask about the dress code. Quinceañera parties are fancy regardless of where people live. You don’t want to overdo it either, so it would be best to ask your hosts.
Don’t forget to show us your fabulous outfit

Sara L.

Veteran

Around here, a rural formal suit would consist of black jeans instead of slacks and a bolo tie instead of a normal tie. There would still be a suit jacket or vest. Also fancy cowboy boots - not your normal everyday cowboy boots but the fancy ones that only come out on special occasions. However, the large hispanic families in this area are Spanish not Mexican. They've been here 300-400 years since the conquistadors. Quinceaneras aren't that common.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

The quinces around here do sort of look like weddings with young guests, including the type of variety possible. Most of them are pretty dressy, but without jackets for the men. I think asking about dress code is a perfectly reasonable question, particularly as you’re coming from another country.
If they live in a big enough place, you could probably get some idea from the google.

NB: I don’t mean to come off as an expert—we have never been to one, just seen ads and parties in banquet rooms/taking photos, etc.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

It's a little tough to ask about dress code since I am not the one in touch with the family, and I also speak very little Spanish. I can see if my husband can get in touch to find out more, but we might not have enough time for that. I'm kind of winging it here.

unfrumped

Veteran

Haha. What I know about quinces I learned from the remake of “ One Day At a Time”! So, not much.

rachylou

Veteran

The *are* just like weddings... but like weddings, they can vary a bit. I feel the ones here in the US can be more elaborate than ones in Mexico... not that they don’t get elaborate in Mexico... and then there was poor Ruby/Rubi, whose quince was crashed and ruined by the world. But *like* not everyone does the court, and the dance, and the tiara, and the presentation of high heeled shoes...

JAileen

Veteran

I've never been to one, but I remember reading this NYT article:

https://www.nytimes.com/2016/0.....ition.html

Sal

Veteran

How about your new black dress? That is stunning and appropriate for many occasions.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I wasn't sure about black, Sal. If anyone has advice on that front, I'd appreciate it.

I'll have to pack my husband's nice sport coat in my carry-on. Yikes. I will be packing very strategically.

I do not expect this particular celebration to be one like that NYT article. Like I said, this family lives in a small, rural, community with not much in the way of resources. I do not expect it to be terribly fancy or upscale. One of the rare situations I don't want to be overdressed!

Sal

Veteran

Yes you might be right on the black - hopefully someone can advise re protocols. I am not sure if this would be right or not but I can see it with red lipstick (even a flower in your hair) ...but I might have it all wrong.

I know the feeling of wanting to be appropriate and respectful but not at all ostentatious or flashy. At the school I was Board Chair at we had several occasions like this where I had to be covered, smart but did not want people to see any (relative) wealth....I had a go to red silk blouse, dark skirt and wore low heels that seemed to straddle all the lines.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

That black floral Fuzzi dress is amazing on you. I don’t recall the price, other than it seemed like a lot to me. If it looks expensive, you might want to go the direction Sal suggests with simple, well-made pieces. But I wouldn’t be surprised if they pull out all the stops and hit some pretty fancy high notes. Mostly I bet they’ll appreciate “the gift of your presence”, that you are traveling all that way to celebrate their daughter with them. Enjoy the day!

Dianna

Veteran

Is the quinceañera in San Miguel de Allende, Janet? Or is it in a smaller town nearby? What is the venue? Is it a noon or an evening event? I think you could wear your black Fuzzi dress. It is dressy, and stunning. Black is very common for formal events in Mexico, including weddings and quinceañeras. Quinceañeras in Mexico range from as fancy as a wedding, to small family events. If the event is at noon, you could wear your new Anthro dress with some nice accessories. You will love San Miguel de Allende for sure. It is one of the most beautiful colonial towns in Mexico, with a very nice weather year round.

Dianna

Veteran

Janet, I forgot to add. Very often, Mexican quinceañeras (or weddings) in rural areas are outdoors (either in a public plaza, a backyard, or a ranch), specially if they are afternoon events rather than evening ones. Also, if it is an evening event, it is very common to have an "after party" the following day at noon, usually outdoors. That's why I asked about the venue, so if thar's the case, try to wear comfortable footwear. Cobblestone streets in San Miguel are beautiful, until you have to walk on them.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Thanks everyone for the info! It turns out that it will be very casual — the dad tells my husband that it will be jeans, so that makes things much easier!

Joyce B

Veteran

Good that you found out before risking being overdressed. Have fun at the party!

Dianna

Veteran

That's great news, Janet.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Good thing he asked!