Panama Fashions

Posted By: PanaGal on 29.04.2007
Views: 1790, Published in sections: Life in Panama ::

After living in Panama City Panama a few years, I see some changes in the clothing trends of the locals. When we first visited in the end of 2004, there were virtually no belly shirts seen on the streets in daylight, no belly piercings, and very few tattoos. While these things are still the exception rather than the norm I have notice among this generation higher occurrences. And indeed we now have a few body piercing and tattoos parlors here.

Another thing I've noticed among the women, which I have been envious of; is the nice round bottoms that don't seem to get flat with age like the bottoms of the women from the states. I think (IMHO) this is because of the European influence of always wearing high heels when you are out of the house, even with jeans. I think this has kept their bottoms nice and round even when they expand from having children, additional weight, and time. (This has nothing to do with clothing other than they wear highs with almost everything) Among the locals that do not own or drive cars, that walk from the bus stop to the office or store; that walk from the office to the corner vendor for lunch I have never noticed a women change from her heels to tennis shoe for traveling on foot from point A to point B. In the driving rain or the hot sun, if they are dressed to go out it is usually with heels. So in hopes of regaining a nice round rather than flat bottom I have gone very European when I go out of the house!

You see more of a tendency to dress up among mall shopper. If you see someone in jeans and a t shirt in the mall it's probably a foreigner. Or as the other poster said any type of safari tropical wear is the sure sign of a tourist.

There are several stores here that sell private label clothing brands from many of well known department store in the US at about 10% of the US retail price, so believe me when I say the same types of clothing are available here. While this is true, the way it is worn is different. It is more dressed up; the European influence of dressing to go out is still in place here, i.e. full make up, jewelry, and heels. In the US it would be more dressed down, sandals and casual makeup. It is unusual to see a woman in public without make up one or without being full dressed. Sunday is an exception; you can still see women in hair rollers in the mall that are not quiet so dressed up. I guess even here it would be silly to wear full makeup, heels and rollers, but you do need to get your hair ready for the next week of work.

As a rule in the government offices and banks you will not be allowed in if you are in shorts or you have spaghetti straps on your blouse.

But as the other poster said in the evening if you are going to a disco (that's what they are still called here) the dress style is more open.

As a man if you wear jeans and a three button, collar shirt you will be admitted to most restaurants and public buildings, as a woman if you wear dress slacks or skirt and blouse you will be granted the same admission. This is the safe way rather than trying to figure out what is acceptable where.

I see many of the changes that have come to Panama to be a direct result of the influences and trends the foreigner has brought with them. From the South Americans to the North Americans to the European persons to the many illegal aliens coming from China, everyone that is making Panama their new home is shaping it. In my book Panama, has become as great a melting pot as the US of A ever was and the fashion trends will be changing more in the future to reflect these influences.

Because we have a large population of foreign nations and the canal that affords us vast variety because of the free zones, we have Gucci, Lauren, Ives, Vanderbilt, Dior, you name it, and it’s available here. There are several South American name brands you may not be familiar with; similarly there will be name brands from China and other Asian nations you may never have seen before. And the sizing will be marked according to its origin. Sizes are reflected in European numbers, to Chinese sizes, to good old US ‘once-was-a-size-14-now-a-size-8-just-to-make-you-feel-better-about-yourself’ sizes. I wear a US 6 or 8, here many times I wear a 12 or 14, depends on where the clothing came from, a Large even just forget it because my arm pits are going to be strangled because the cut is way to petite. Which by the way I usually fit a US petite better than regular sizing here a lot of the Chinese stuff is just too short unless I’m interested in belly shirts.