Traditional Azorean clothing is one of the most distinctive and symbolic elements of the Azores. These Islands carry with them not only beautiful landscapes but also a rich culture represented in the traditional clothing. It is possible to see all the cultural references on the Capote e Capelo, which we will dive into in this article.
Origins & Evolution of Traditional Azorean Attire
There is no certainty about the origin of these unique regional costumes. Historians suspect that traditional Azorean clothes draw inspiration from conventional Portuguese styles from regions such as Beira Alta, Minho, and Alentejo, or possibly from Flanders, since these groups were the principal inhabitants of the area.
People made the clothes with natural materials like wool, linen, and cotton, often handwove and dyed them using local resources. They designed the garments not only for practical purposes — such as protection from the island’s windy and humid climate — but also as a way for women to protect their identity.
Capote e Capelo: The Most Iconic Azorean Garment
Among the most impressionable items of the Azorean traditional attire is the capote e capelo, usually used by women, in particular on the island of São Miguel. People composed it of a long dark wool cloak (capote) and an oversized, veined hood (capelo).
The garment provided Azorean women with an air of mysticism and invisibility, and also safeguards women against the weather and provides a bit of modesty according to Catholic standards.
The people of São Miguel intertwined it so deeply with their local identity that they used it every day until the early 20th century. Today, museums, folk shows, and tourism ads actively present it as a symbolic element of the island’s history.
Traditional Clothing in the Azores
Traditional Azorean Men’s Clothing
Men’s traditional attire was simpler, with a significant emphasis on functionality, and it included:
- Wool trousers or breeches
- White linen shirts
- Wool waistcoats
- Felt hats or black caps
- Sashes around the waist
People often wore these garments to reflect their activities, such as agriculture or fishing, and they proudly wore them during religious festivities and traditional dances.
Traditional Azorean Women’s Clothing
Besides Capote and Capelo, traditional women’s clothing in São Miguel typically included:
- Long, pleated wool skirts (saias), typically striped or plain, in vivid reds, greens, blues, or browns. These were adapted for both everyday use and special occasions.
- Embroidered linen blouses (camisas), usually white, with intricate lace detailing and puffed sleeves, reveal the local tradition of textile craftsmanship.
- Aprons (avental), worn over the skirt, which could range from simple cloth for daily chores to richly embroidered silk versions used in festivities.
- Wool bodices or vests (corpetes), tailored to the body, are frequently embellished with decorative buttons or trims.
- Headscarves or shawls (lenços), covering the head and shoulders, are embroidered with floral or religious motifs.
This type of attire varied according to social class, with wealthier families wearing more elaborate clothing featuring richer colors and intricate embroidery.
Preservation & Modern Influence
People no longer wear traditional Azorean attire every day. Still, they continue to use it during religious holidays — especially the Festas do Espírito Santo — as well as in folklore performances, historical reenactments, and community celebrations. The folkloric groups parade in authentic replicas of historical costumes, maintaining the heritage of the island not only to residents but also to tourists.
In recent years, elements of traditional attire, such as embroidery patterns or the silhouette of the capote e capelo, have even inspired modern fashion designers, creating a renewed interest in Azorean cultural expression in contemporary contexts.
Related Article ➞ Public Holidays in the Azores 2025: Full List & Travel Guide
Conclusion
Azorean people unite through their history, religion, and identity, which they express by wearing traditional Azorean clothing. These costumes are not only garments, but visual attributes of a specimen of an original insular culture, which overcame the test of time. This is why by celebrating and preserving them, the Azores keep on talking to the world about them, one stitch at a time.
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FAQs
Traditional Azorean clothing refers to the historical garments worn by males and females across the nine islands of the Azores, including items like wool skirts, embroidered blouses, and the iconic capote e capelo.
The capote e capelo is a long, dark woolen cloak with a structured hood traditionally worn by women in São Miguel. It served both as protection against the weather and a symbol of modesty and identity.
Wealthier families wore more elaborate and colorful clothing, often decorated with detailed embroidery and made from finer fabrics, while working-class garments were more straightforward and more functional.
Yes, they are worn during religious festivals, especially the Festas do Espírito Santo, and by folkloric groups during cultural events and performances.
You can see authentic examples in ethnographic museums across the Azores, such as the Museu Carlos Machado, and during live performances by regional folk groups.
Yes, contemporary designers are increasingly incorporating elements like Azorean embroidery and silhouettes into modern clothing, helping preserve and reinterpret this cultural heritage.
