Spanish cloak

A Spanish cloak is a special kind of clothing that people in Spanish-speaking countries have worn since the late 1800s. It was often worn by priests and people who followed traditional Christian practices. The cloak is called “Spanish” or sometimes “Pañosa” because it is made from a piece of cloth.

It has wide, flowing parts and is lined with velvet along the edges. The velvet shows a bit of color at the front, giving the cloak a nice and elegant look. This kind of cloak was an important piece of clothing for special events and religious ceremonies.

History

The Spanish cloak is believed to have started from a garment called the "Sagun," worn by the Celtiberians long ago.

Later, a minister of Carlos III banned the cloak, which led to the Esquilache riots in the 1700s. In 1845, Richard Ford described the cloak as making people less active and hiding things. The first cloaks of the 1800s came from wool areas like Béjar in Salamanca. By the 1800s, the cloak became very popular and was seen as stylish, but its use lessened around 1900. In 1928, journalist Antonio Velasco Zazo started the Association Cloak in Madrid to encourage people to wear the Spanish cloak again.

Features

The Spanish cloak is a long, open-front, sleeveless garment. It was first worn by men, but later versions for women appeared toward the end of the 20th century.

Common colors include black, navy blue, and brown. The cloak is usually made from sheep's wool or a mix of wool and cashmere, sometimes with polyamide fiber. The part that covers the face, called the emboli, is typically made of cotton velvet and comes in colors like red, maroon, and green.