Barong Tagalog Fabric

The barong Tagalog is an elegant traditional garment worn by Filipino men (and women). You may think that it is just a simple piece of clothing but there are many factors that should be considered when choosing the best fabric for the barong Tagalog. It is widely known that the barong Tagalog is the national costume of the Philippines. It has evolved over time to become the most popular item of clothing worn by many during special events and occasions. Its most important element, though, is the fabric. The type of fabric used to make the barong Tagalog will determine how it will look like. In this article we explore the different types of fabrics used to make barong Tagalogs and what makes each type special.

Types of Fabric

Abaca

For centuries, abaca was only used in the Philippines. But today, more and more people are familiar with this natural wonder. Abaca is a versatile material that has been used to create everything from clothes to bags to hats. Abaca is a strong, yet light fabric made from the leaves of the abaca plant. Its fibers are long, strong, and resistant to rotting. They are also naturally white and don’t need to be bleached.

Cocoon

Cocoon (or also known as Cocoon Silk) is a woven fabric with a transparency similar to the transparency of a piña fabric. The fabric is made by weaving the cocoons of silkworms that have not yet opened their wings. Silkworm cocoons are composed of two layers: an outer layer of sericin and an inner layer of fibers. It is this inner layer that is extracted and made into cocoon silk. These cocoons have a natural transparency, which gives the fabric an appearance similar to fine lace or gauze.

Jusi

The jusi-piña effect is a textile treatment that consists of printing a pattern on a fabric, then covering it with several layers of transparent varnish. Jusi-piña was very fashionable in the late nineteenth century. It was mostly used in women’s clothing. The effect was achieved by printing the fabric with the design, then adding several layers of transparent varnish. The result was a raised design that stood out from the fabric and could reflect light in different ways depending on how the fabric moved.

Piña

The Piña is a fabric made from the leaves of the pineapple which comes from a perennial plant that grows in Spain, Portugal, and North Africa. The fibers are extracted from the leaves of the pineapple and are then woven into a fabric. The fabric is very light, almost transparent, and very soft to the touch. It is used for making dresses, blouses, curtains, and many other products, including barong Tagalogs. Due to its rarity, this hand-woven fabric is one of the most expensive fabrics in the Philippines.

Piña-Silk

Piña-Silk (Piña-Seda or Pineapple-Silk) is a type of fabric that combines pineapple fibers and silk fibers. It was first historically used in the Philippines at the beginning of the 17th century. It is found in the province of Pampanga, which is known for its pineapple plantations. The Piña-Silk weaving was introduced to Pampanga by Spanish missionaries, where they were taught how to weave this type of material. The Piña-Silk fabric is not only beautiful to look at, but also very strong and durable.