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.

LARRAINZAR HUIPIL

This is a one-of-a-kind hand embroidered huipil from the highland Tzotzil Mayan community of San Andres Larrainzar, Chiapas, Mexico. Known for its bold geometric embroidery and deep saturated colors, Larrainzar textiles are among the most striking in all of Chiapas.

A sacred woven tunic, each geometric pattern embroidered onto the garment represents a deep spiritual connection that encodes Mayan cosmology, philosophy, astronomy, & community identity.

Each symbol embroidered into this garment carries vast spiritual meaning rooted in centuries of Tzotzil Mayan ancestral knowledge.

✦ Hand embroidered by indigenous women artisans ✦ Made in San Andres Larrainzar, Chiapas ✦ One of a kind — no two are the same ✦ Fair Trade & Indigenous Made ✦ Hand wash cold, hang dry

SIZE GUIDE:

MEDIUM 24 inches tall 23 inches wide at the bust 23 inches wide at the waist

LARGE 26 inches tall 25 inches wide at the bust 25 inches wide at the waist

EXTRA LARGE 28 inches tall 27 inches wide at the bust 27 inches wide at the waist