The barong, or barong tagalog, is the formal wear of Filipino men. It has evolved over time, with upper-class barongs being constantly modified and transformed. Nowadays, it is made of delicate and translucent fabric and finely embroidered in the front only. It is worn untucked and replaces the Western coat and tie during special occasions. A more casual version, called the barong polo, is also popular.
The barong, also called barong tagalog, is a major component of Philippine national dress, being the formal wear of Filipino men. It comes from the phrase Baro ng Tagalog, which literally means “Tagalog dress”. In pre-colonial times, this meant a shirt with an opening at the front worn with a type of loincloth. When the Spanish arrived, trousers, embroidery and even lace were introduced. Naturally, the barong has gone through many stages.
While the farmer’s barong has remained largely unchanged over the centuries – being quite plain, sometimes striped and usually made of rough cloth – the designs of upper-class barongs have been constantly modified, re-imagined and regularly transformed. .
In the 1700s, for example, the barong of a wealthy Filipino who wanted to keep up with the fashions of the time would have been accompanied by lace, silk ties, and could have been worn with wide trousers. In the 1800s, due to the sudden influx of Europeans, the barong acquired a more romantic look, with ruffled collars, all-over embroidery (rather than just the chest area), buttons, and even a tie. In the early 1900s the design of the barong was streamlined and lost most of its early flourishes, though it was infused with a motley of colors.
Nowadays, a barong is usually understood as a special type of dress shirt made of jusi or pina silk fabric, which is a very delicate and translucent material, and is finely embroidered in the front only. It is used during special occasions, such as Filipino weddings and other formal events, and replaces the Western coat and tie. The barong is completed with a simple white shirt and is usually paired with dark trousers, dark socks and matching leather shoes. It is worn untucked.
The modern incarnation of this ethnic shirt is lauded for its elegant simplicity. A more casual version, used by workers across the country in their daily lives, is called the barong polo. The barong polo is short-sleeved and made of cotton, ramie or chiffonelle, and is much less finely embroidered. It’s a cooler alternative to Western shirts, making it a popular choice given the country’s tropical temperatures.
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