Sweet Quinceañera 15
The Mexican custom I learned today: Parents here throw their daughters huge elaborate parties for the girl's 15th birthday.
I was wandering around the city centre today, chatting with locals about the Games when I spotted what looked like the most hideous wedding dress in a shop window. It was a hulking ballgown, with layers upon layers of black, white and red polka dot fabric. I've seen some insane wedding dresses in my travels, including a ruffled satin red mess in St. Petersburg, Russia, but this reached a new level of tacky.
"How could someone wear that on their wedding day??" I asked my translator, Tom.
"Actually, they're for teenage girls. When a girl turns 15 here they have a big party. Sort of a coming out as a woman thing. It's a really big deal," he explained.
What?! Somehow that changed everything. I tried to remember being 14. My Disney princess obsession days would have only passed a few years prior. Yeah, absolutely I would have wanted to rock a ballgown on my birthday.
Tom's a guy and from London, England so he didn't know much more about the subject. So I took a break from Pan Am reporting and walked into one of these shops, which are all over this historic district. One of the sales associates, Norma Sanchez explained that the custom is called Quinceañera — Latin America's version of the American Sweet 16 party.
The Quinceañera has traditionally marked the girl's transition into sexual maturity. Families spend months planning elaborate parties where the young woman gets to be a princess for a day. There is typically a dinner and Catholic mass beforehand. At this shop, which would likely appeal to the lower and middle class families, dresses go for about $5500 pesos or about $440 Canadian. The average living wage here is around $500 Canadian a month I'm told.
"Girls from the United States come to Guadalajara to buy these dresses," said Sanchez.
Most of them are Mexican girls celebrating Quinceañera north of the border, but others aren't Latin and just want a show-stopping graduation dresses.
For research purposes I of course tried one on. They're very heavy and difficult to walk in. But wow did I feel like Cinderella.
Mom and Dad: That bowling party you threw me sucked.
As Spanish I would like to inform you that is not Latin's America version of Sweet 16 party. It's more than that is part of our culture and tradition.
Posted by: Liliana | 10/18/2011 at 01:20 PM
would be nice if you mentioned the store name...
Posted by: ewinters | 10/18/2011 at 06:25 PM
What a find! I love how you have yet again found one of those "off the beaten path" quirky gems you always seem to sniff out Robyn. And who's your trainer? I want those arms;)
Posted by: Samantha martin | 10/18/2011 at 10:44 PM
The sales girl forgot to tell you, we also have a court for the day, ie. maids and ushers, much like a wedding where they stand next to you during the mass at church and then lead the way for your grand entrance at the reception. It's a really big party and a big deal, latin girls dream of their Quinceanera partymore than their wedding day and the mothers try to out do each other! BTW, you looked great in the dress and maybe you can convince your parents to throw you a cool quinceanera to make up for the sucky bowling party!
Posted by: Jax | 10/20/2011 at 06:16 PM
yeah, you looked super in the dress- good choice.
Posted by: janfromthebruce | 10/20/2011 at 08:42 PM