Pollineras

Pollineras (Spanish plural of pollera) are traditional women's dresses and skirts found across parts of Latin America and the Caribbean. The garment varies widely by region but commonly features a full, gathered or layered skirt worn with a fitted bodice or blouse, often embellished with lace, embroidery and ruffles. Pollineras serve both everyday and ceremonial functions, from daily wear in some Andean communities to elaborate festival costumes in coastal and Central American settings.

In Panama the pollera is an iconic national costume: highly ornate, hand-embroidered, and accessorized with intricate hair ornaments called tembleques, shawls and often substantial gold or coral jewelry. Panamanian polleras are associated with folkloric dance, civic celebrations and annual contests such as festivals that honor the skill of their makers and the cultural heritage they represent. In Andean countries like Bolivia, Peru and Ecuador the term pollera commonly denotes a layered or pleated skirt worn by indigenous and mestiza women; styles, materials and meanings differ by locality and may signal community identity, marital status or social history.

Pollineras are produced through a mix of artisanal techniques—sewing, embroidery and lacework—and contemporary manufacturing. The garments are valued both as everyday clothing in some contexts and as objects of cultural transmission, craftsmanship and regional pride. Their continued use and adaptation reflect the complex colonial and indigenous histories of dress in the Americas.