A Barong Tagalog Shirt (or simply Barong) is an embroidered formal garment of the Philippines. It is very lightweight and worn untucked (similar to a coat/dress shirt), over an undershirt. It is a common wedding and formal attire for Filipino men as well as women. The term "Barong Tagalog" literally means "Tagalog dress" (i.e., baro ng Tagalog or dress of the Tagalog) in the Filipino language.
There’s really something about the Barong Tagalog Shirt that appeals to unassuming, low-key personalities with a penchant for subtle elegance. Needless to say, the Barong Tagalog not only boasts of a rich, ancient craft. It speaks volumes of a heritage that spanned decades of multi-cultural influences and raw patriotism. This is probably why it is naturally worn with pride and dignity. For whenever you don a barong tagalog, you are not just carrying a style, you are wearing a legacy.
The mid 19th century saw a change in the Barong Tagalog embroidery - from designs concentrated on the torso or pechera, to all-over embroidery (front, back, sleeves)
European influence on the Barong Tagalog design was apparent in floral patterns and stylized plants, leaves and stems on two-colored cloths of tiny checks and squares.
American influence saw the Barong Tagalog embroidered with pilgrim scenarios, young rugged boys, and American Indian motifs.
Pre-war and post-war embroidery for barong Tagalog came in rainbow colors simulating Philippine sceneries as that of the bayanihan, the bahay kubo or nipa hut, the carabao ploughing rice fields, cultural items such as the Philippine rooster, flowers and other animals, dances such as the Tinikling and Pandango sa Ilaw, and folk games like taguan and tumbang preso. Geometric shapes combined with other motifs were also used during this period.
In the sixties, full callado designs done mostly on jusi and pina was popular during President Diosdado Macapagal’s time. The style continued its popularity with President Ferdinand Marcos taken to using the same in most social functions.
The seventies saw the same embroidery designs on the Barong Tagalog. But the advent of the polo barong being worn as the working uniform in the latter years made for simpler embroidery design confined mostly to the pechera or two parallel lines of rectangular frames in the front.
At present, more and more of the working Filipino class opt for the embroidery-less, short sleeved Polo Barong for its casual look. However, the elaborately designed Barong Tagalog is still widely used for weddings and special occasions.
At BarongsRus.com, they are committed to offering a wide variety of fine Barong Tagalog for men and Filipiniana Dresses for women. Their mission has always been to offer a strong sense of style and comfort into our products, and while providing reasonable prices and the convenience of on-line shopping. They strive to design collections that are stylish yet classic; apparel that will continue to wear well through the changes of both season and fashion cycle. Their products are hand made by skilled people with decades of experience using the finest materials available. Barongs R Us’ products are exclusively of the highest quality.
