Inside: Costa Rican Closets, Culture, and Couture
Understanding
Costa Rican
Fashion
Nicole Huckaby is a proud Costa Rican woman who wears it on her sleeve- and in her dresses, accessories, and shoes. She is featured as a model in this month’s issue of The Campus Edit.
Huckaby was born in Puerto Viejo on the Caribbean coast and advocates for belonging, equity, diversity, and inclusivity. She incorporates traditional Costa Rican couture in some non-traditional ways.
Looking closer into Costa Rican clothing, one can see that they are decorated with colors that typically match the flag or ornate floral patterns. Dressing for the climate is also necessary; what we may know as “beach attire” is their day-to-day. Even more profoundly, because of the humid environment on the mainland, most want (and are advised) to keep it light and airy. Nicole considers Florals very prevalent in Costa Rican fashion- in all articles of clothing, like tanks, tops, and dresses. However, the floral patterns in the States are not as detail-oriented as those of traditional Costa Rican designers. Nicole says she doesn't think there is just one aesthetic in the U.S., where it's easier to be focused on more tropical clothing design or aesthetics in a dense climate. Where climate and attitudes vary, so does the attire.
When on the beach, locals and tourists alike will find sundresses and linen sets paired with woven wedge sandals or heels, most with floral appliques. Beach shops are riddled along the coast and stocked with suitable handmade, woven, or leather bags. Huckaby has carefully curated a collection of her favorite Costa Rican pieces from these shops. Still, it’s naturally disappointing for her to tell people that when they ask where a piece is from.
Unfortunately, the quest for more traditional Costa Rican dresses or patterns in the U.S. is a challenging one, often requiring custom-made solutions. This scarcity only adds to the allure and exclusivity of these cultural fashion pieces.
Nicole feels more connected to her culture when she wears more traditional Costa Rican attire—and so does her family. She frequently makes calls back home, and when she does so wearing a piece of her culture, she is overwhelmed with homely compliments about her beauty. She believes there is something special about honoring your ancestors and the women who created fashion before us. “You know, we remake trends all the time. I think it helps bring a little piece of home with me.”
Incorporating Muslim culture and Hispanic attire is also a challenge Nicole faces with beauty and grace. Being surrounded by her hometown shops helps, though. Here, she can find light kimonos, floral cover-ups, or shawls to find an intersection of culture.
In the lens of fashion, many Hispanic cultures are very similar. Florals, embroidery, and beading are seen in Asian cultures as well. “I think it's a web,” Huckaby said, “interlinked in some way connected by all of these cultures' love for fashion.”
Although not a tropical getaway or trip back home, Nicole will find herself in a white coat this Summer, doing research and building her wardrobe online.
Written by
Kylie Caldwell