From guayaberas to crop tops, Fiesta Mexicana dancers show their appreciation through fashion

Catheryn Hrenchir, Topeka Capital-Journal
·2 min read

The style of dress was festive Thursday on the first evening of this year's Fiesta Mexicana.

On and off the stage, women and girls shone.

The event, outside of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, 201 N.E. Chandler St., continues through Saturday.

Women and girls celebrate culture through dress at Fiesta Mexicana

Our Lady of Guadalupe fiesta dancers perform Thursday in front of crowds gathered at the Fiesta Mexicana.
Our Lady of Guadalupe fiesta dancers perform Thursday in front of crowds gathered at the Fiesta Mexicana.

With lots of red, white and green (colors of the Mexican flag), attire for the female crowd included off-the shoulder crop tops, peasant tops and peasant dresses embroidered with flowers, vines and greenery.

Wearing the midriff-baring crop top isn't just a way to express one of the latest fashion crazes.

"It's like really our culture," said Destiny Núñez. "We're just trying to show appreciation through it."

More: Fiesta Mexicana is back. Here are the changes for this year's July 14-16 celebration in Topeka.

Men and boys choose guayaberas, cowboy hats and shirts

Fiesta Mexicana royalty ceremonially cut a ribbon to begin the festivities Thursday afternoon outside of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church.
Fiesta Mexicana royalty ceremonially cut a ribbon to begin the festivities Thursday afternoon outside of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church.

Men's attire included cowboy hats and shirts, as well as guayaberas — men's summer shirts from the Yucatán region of Mexico, worn outside the trousers and distinguished by two vertical rows of closely sewn pleats running the length of the front and back of the shirt.

Arthur Balandran, who was wearing his freshly pressed guayabera, said he was happy to be back and looks forward to the future.

"There for a long time we debated whether to have something," he said. "Well, we didn't have the Fiesta parade, but we did have something last week trying to get people in the mood like that.

"And God willing, maybe next year, it'll open up, make it twice as big, like we had it before."

More: Here's everything you need to know about 2022 Country Stampede, including free tickets

Fiesta fashion available for purchase at vendors

Street vendors sell food and goods to guests Thursday afternoon at the Fiesta Mexicana.
Street vendors sell food and goods to guests Thursday afternoon at the Fiesta Mexicana.

Vendors sold much of the attire as well as Fiesta Mexicana 2022 T-shirts, religious articles, items made in Mexico and lots of children's toys. Neon laser swords were popular.

Delicious smells permeated the air around the food vendors, who had long lines.

The church's enchiladas and tamales sold out early, but the other staples — tacos, burritos and tostadas — were still available.

Advice to attendees of the remainder of Fiesta Mexicana is to bring lawn chairs, plenty of cash, arrive early for those tamales and enchiladas, and look sharp.

Catheryn Hrenchir is a feature writer for The Topeka-Capital Journal. She can be reached at chrenchir@gannett.com or (785) 817-6383.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Fashion takes stage with dancers at 2022 Fiesta Mexicana in Topeka