What makes Papalotl clothing authentic?

Every Papalotl garment is sourced directly from indigenous women's cooperatives in Chiapas, Mexico — never from intermediaries or mass manufacturers. The garments are made using traditional backstrap loom weaving and hand embroidery techniques that have been practiced by Tzotzil Mayan women for thousands of years. Papalotl is a Native-owned brand with over 20 years of indigenous cultural work through Huey Tlahtokan — La Gran Palabra — ChicagoAztlan.

What is the difference between a huipil and other Mayan garments?

A huipil is a tunic-style blouse constructed from hand-woven or hand-embroidered panels. A quechquemitl is a pre-Hispanic triangular cape, most sacred in the Tzotzil tradition and extremely rare. A jorongo is an open-sleeve poncho-style blouse. Each garment type originates from a specific community and carries its own symbolic and cultural meaning. Papalotl carries all three styles, along with belts, purses, and jewelry sourced from the same indigenous artisans.

Are Papalotl garments fair trade?

Yes. All Papalotl garments are Fair Trade, Indigenous Made, and Native Owned. We source directly from women's cooperatives, ensuring that the artisans who create each piece receive fair compensation for their labor and skill. Supporting Papalotl directly supports indigenous women's economic sovereignty in Chiapas.

How do I care for a handmade Tzotzil Mayan garment?

Handwoven and hand-embroidered garments require gentle care. Hand wash in cold water, hang dry, and iron on low heat inside out if needed. Dry cleaning is recommended for wool pieces such as the San Juan Chamula quechquemitl. Avoid machine washing — these are one-of-a-kind works of art, not mass-produced clothing.

Do you ship across the United States?

Yes. Papalotl ships throughout the contiguous United States with free shipping on orders over $200. A $20 flat rate applies to all other contiguous US orders. Alaska and Hawaii ship for a $25 flat rate. Most orders are dispatched within 2 business days via UPS or USPS.

What does Papalotl mean?

Papalotl is the Nahuatl word for butterfly — a symbol of transformation, beauty, and the continuity of life across cultures throughout Mesoamerica. The name reflects the mission of Huey Tlahtokan — to carry indigenous culture forward, thread by thread, generation by generation.

Papalotl Clothing is the indigenous clothing line of Huey Tlahtokan — La Gran Palabra ChicagoAztlan, a Native-owned organization founded in Chicago in 2004 with over 22 years of Aztec, Mexica, Mayan and other indigenous Mexican cultural diffusion and advocacy. Learn our story.

HATS / SOMBREROS

En las montañas de Guanajuato, el tejido de lana no es solo un oficio — es memoria viva. Este sombrero nace de manos que han heredado la técnica de generación en generación, transformando fibra natural en una pieza que combina identidad, resistencia y estilo.

Su tono café oscuro y su textura orgánica reflejan el carácter único de cada lote de lana, mientras que su estructura firme lo convierte en un aliado tanto para el trabajo de campo como para el día a día urbano. No hay dos sombreros iguales: las variaciones naturales en el hilado son la firma silenciosa del artesano que lo hizo.

Al llevarlo, no solo te proteges del sol y del frío — cargas contigo un pedazo de México hecho con las manos, el tiempo y el conocimiento de quienes mantienen viva esta tradición.

In the mountains of Guanajuato, wool weaving is more than just a craft—it is living memory. This hat is born of hands that have inherited the technique across generations, transforming natural fiber into a piece that blends identity, durability, and style.

Its dark brown hue and organic texture reflect the unique character of each batch of wool, while its sturdy structure makes it a reliable companion for both fieldwork and urban daily life. No two hats are alike; natural variations in the yarn serve as the silent signature of the artisan who crafted it.

When you wear it, you do more than shield yourself from the sun and cold—you carry with you a piece of Mexico, shaped by the hands, time, and expertise of those who keep this tradition alive.