The Versatile Cotton Cotton is king in Cabo. The all

Resort
Style
The Versatile Cotton
By Sandra Berry. Photos: Gilda Badillo. Location: Pancho’s Restaurant. Clothes: Cotton Club.
Cotton is king in Cabo. The all-natural
fabric is a cool product for hot weather,
suitable for tropical and semi-arid climates
such as we experience in Los Cabos.
Cotton is king in Cabo. The all-natural fabric is a cool product
for hot weather, suitable for tropical and semi-arid climates
such as we experience in Los Cabos.
No one knows exactly how old cotton is. Scientists searching
caves in Mexico found bits of cotton material and pieces of cotton cloth that were determined to be at least 7,000 years old.
Remarkably, that ancient cotton looks a lot like the cotton we
see today. Indeed, in Roman times it was believed that cotton
garments were as precious as silk ones. Short fibers and flat
dense texture make cotton easy to dye. After applying print or
color to cotton, the fabric can be washed, adding another
dimension of usefulness to this material. It’s not difficult to
understand how it came to be used in both everyday clothes
and luxury garments - simple sundresses to designer fashions.
Fashion decision-makers keep cotton in the fore f ront of the
fashion world. Their forecasting researchers identify the needs,
trends and market shifts. Versatility, softness, breath-ability,
absorbency, year-round comfort, performance and durability
are just a few of the qualities that have earned cotton fabrics
their popular status. It is strong, longwearing and available in a
wide variety of weights and textures. Along with wool, silk and
linen, cotton is a naturally grown product.
However, there is some bad news about the favored cotton.
Since it is not a food product, the laws that govern its cultivation are not very strict. As a result, when artificially enhanced
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cotton fiber is produced, more chemicals are used per unit area
than for any other crop, accounting for a gasping 16% of the
world’s pesticide use. These chemicals are widely accepted to
cause air and water pollution, thus damaging the land on which
this cotton is grown.
The good news is that you help reduce this chemical cocktail
on our planet by choosing items made of organically grown
cotton. Growing organic cotton without chemicals means that
not only is it safer for the farmers and workers, but the land is
not damaged by over use of chemicals. Using crop rotation
practices and natural fertilizers, instead of chemicals and artificial fertilizers, is obviously advantageous for the environment.
And a bonus is organic cotton clothing feels so good next to
your skin! Organically grown cotton fibers are longer and you
can feel the luxurious quality. From sleepwear to daywear to
evening wear, cotton plays an important role in our lives.
Los Cabos is lucky to have several sources for ready-to-wear
cotton clothing. Since 1989, Margarita Partridge has specialized in re s o rt wear, with brand names from Guadalajara such as
Dunes and Opus, at her Cotton Club shop located in Puerto
Paraiso Mall The fanciful appliquéd designer jackets and vests
with Mexican motifs are from Victor Camarena Rojo from
Mexico City. From the U.S. comes Color Me Cotton with the
new printed garments for this season.
The Color. The summer pallet of cotton perfectly reflects the
cheerfulness of the season, according to Leticia Klien of Casa
Vieja in Las Tiendas de Palmilla. Key color themes for summer
2008 are purple, a regal color for the second season running,
that teams up with crimson red or celadon green. Neon lights,
brilliant versions of yellows, oranges, greens, blues and pinks
are hot. Popular colors are eye-popping fuchsia, beetroot purple, burnt coral, deep jewel tones, nautical navy, golden
caramel, and midnight sea. Of course, the perennial warm and
earthy neutrals are always a good choice.
This coordinate in vibrant melon color is by CMC and is available in Cotton Club.
Yellow Empire blouse and flowing white skirt both by Dunes in cool comfortable cotton, from the Cotton Club.
The Style. The overall mood is colorful, joyous and feminine. The cocktail dress is
short and flirty in both rainbow colors and bold black and white stripes. Keep the
waist in place and above the knee; add ruffles for detail. Fabulous mini-patterns, bold
and bright geometrics, and tattoo prints dominate, while sensual cotton sateens, lacquered plain weaves in cotton, and damask cottons are the fabrics of choice. Popular
prints on cotton dresses or blouses are abstract florals in bold colors. The silhouette is
high-waist skirts and pants, empire line tunics and dresses, large oversized collars, full
balloon or bell sleeves, volume in skirts and dresses, such as bubble and tulip style. In
skirts or dresses, it’s either very short or very long. Maxi dresses are making huge
comeback this season
Pamper yourself!
Take a little of Baja
home with you.
Natural delights for
the Body, Mind and Spirit.
Matamoros Local #2 Near the corner of Lázaro Cárdenas,
1 1/2 blocks north of Giggling Marlin, Cabo San Lucas.
Phone. 624 122 2690 • www.bajabodydeli.com
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The Look. Full of allure, class, elegance and style, the look this season is completely
different from last year’s untamed, free-style boho. Last year it was all about frills, lace,
sequins, and shine. This season is more luxurious and sophisticated, the garments more
pulled together, with less glitz but definitely more glamour. Styles are simple, yet
graceful. Think classy, voguish and chic. If you liked the fashion of the fifties, that
entire craze will be in style again. Trousers and mini trousers are in fashion, as are
Capri-style. There is a trend that will mix sporty style with chic, which will result in
some interesting combinations.
Must-Haves. A volume shirt in sonic green; a 1930’s bias slip dress; tomato red lacquered cotton top; a pleated, high-waist dress cocoa in color with vibrant accents;
black-laminated, oxford, high-waist mini skirt with satin details; cotton sundress with
tribal geometric embro i d e ry; belted dresses; pleated tunics; a lime evening dress; chambray ruffled lace cocktail dress; a cotton Snow White jacket.
The colors of the sun, the sand, the sea always herald summer. And cotton makes
it possible to stay cool and comfortable throughout the season. Take it from
Pepita at her signature store in Las Tiendas de Palmilla: Fashion is not just a visual
adventure. It involves the whole being, the way clothes move, the way clothes feel
on the body and the freshness of a soft comfortable fabric. There’s nothing like
cotton to create the feeling.
Hecho en México
By Lauren Glenn.
Hand-crafted individual pieces of wood furn i t u re come from all over M´xico.
Four locations in Cabo San Lucas:
Plaza Embarcadero Local #10 • Blvd. Marina & Madero
P u e rto Pa raiso Mall Local # 81 • Wal-Mart Super Center
Ph: (624) 144-4424. Open daily fro m : 8 am to 10 pm.
www. c ab o h ats.com • www.loscabosguide.com/cabohats
Mexico is the perfect place for vacationers to relax, enjoy the
beautiful beaches, embrace the wonderful culture, and of
course, take advantage of the great shopping. Fine quality
products such as Talavera, silver, glass, and furniture are examples of some of the treasures you can find here in Mexico.
Shopping for bargains and authentic high quality products has
become a sport for tourists. If you are interested in acquiring
the best deals from reliable sources, before you start your shopping it’s best to research specific items you want to buy and
how to determine you are investing in genuine items.
Mexico has the world’s largest production of silver, an extremely popular metal among the tourist population. The majority of
the silver comes from the Western Sierra Madre mountain mining districts in the states of Chihuahua, Durango, Sinaloa,
Sonora, and Zacatecas. Beautiful silver handcrafts and artwork
can be found all over Mexico. Fine quality silver can be pricey,
but definitely worth it. One way to determine the quality of the
silver is to look for a stamp on the item. It will most commonly
be stamped .925, which is sterling silver, but if it reads .999, then
it is 99.9% pure silver. There may also be a symbol or initials
from the artist who designed the piece. Look for these markings
to avoid purchasing “Mexican Silver,” also called “nickel silver,”
which does not contain any silver and turns green over time.
Although, visitors can buy silver jewelry from vendors on the
beach or local shops, it is best to go to a store that specializes in
high quality silver products, such as Desert Moon or Ultrajewels
in Cabo San Lucas. For some very special designs and pieces,
Diamonds International is surely able to help you. Along San
Jose del Cabo’s main plaza and on its nearby side streets, you’ll
find several shops specializing in genuine silver.
Another alluring purchase in Mexico is beautiful glass. Potters
began making glass around 3000BC and by 100BC glass blowing was invented. The Spaniards introduced this art to Mexico
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CABOS
in 1535. The Glass Factory, one of the
few places on the Baja Peninsula that
demonstrates this intricate art, is located
in Cabo San Lucas. Regular tours, with
a bilingual guide, allow visitors to view
the elaborate process and appreciate the
immense amount of skill and training
needed to create stunning glass pieces.
Magnificent glass artwork, dinnerware,
shot glasses, vases, windows, and much
more can be found here in Cabo at the
Marina Mercado. For some unique
examples of fine Mexican-made glass,
look in places such as Mi Mexico and
interior design shops.
Authentic designs and vibrant colors
accent Mexico’s furniture. The wood
products, usually hand-made and
extremely sturdy, provide the perfect
blend of north, south, and central
Mexico. Mexico also imports products
from Europe and Asia, and then
enhances those items with its own
unique designs. The furniture crafted by designers in Mexico is so detailed that singular items are often sent to different regions for perfectly mastered finishes that will
achieve the desired appearance. Some wonderful places to purchase items, such as fine
Alder furniture with its high quality polished look, Mesquite furniture known for its
warmth and beauty, and traditional Mexican furniture made with Equipale leather, twig
and bent wood are El Callejon and Treasures Furniture, as well as several other fine
design shopping venues in Los Cabos. Check for custom-designed furniture at BPL
Design Group, Ltd. You’ll find casual Mexican furniture and accessories at “do it with
magic” in Cabo San Lucas, and Mijares custom furniture in San Jose del Cabo.
Authentic Talavera, a spectacular find in Mexico, is a form of Majolica, handmade
enameled earthenware from Pueblo. This style was introduced to Mexico by
Spanish artisans in the 16th century. Every piece is unique and of extraordinary
color and quality. Talavera’s dazzling motifs of grand florals, intriguing portraits
or other elaborately designed pieces are molded, painted, and kilned before being
dipped into an earthenware glaze that enhances the brilliant colors. Originally
one could only find this pottery in blue and white, but now it is made with beautiful greens, oranges, and yellows. The hand-painted Talavera comes in various
forms, both functional and decorative. The exquisite plates, vases, and tiles can be
found in most parts of Mexico. Every region embraces its own flavor, creating
modern pieces unique in design and style. Some great shopping for Talavera is in
downtown Todos Santos, a town about an hour’s drive up the Pacific side.
Genuine Talavera will have a raised design and high gloss finish. Use these marks
to determine authentic Talavera pottery. To avoid purchasing an imitation, check
for the certification number and the workshop’s signature at the base. Since these
pieces are handmade and designed, they can be a bit pricey for larger items. But,
like most products from Mexico, they will be made with great skill and an authentic Mexican touch that visitors love so much.
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LOS CABOS GUIDE’S
P R E PAID VOUCHERS
Activities • Tours
Fishing • Boat Cruises
Stores • Boutiques
Restaurants
This list changes frequently.
Please check our web site often
for the latest list of participants.
UNITED STATES OFFICE
E-Mail: [email protected]
Ph: 858-569-0172 • Fax: 858-777-3569
W W W. L O S C A B O S G U I D E . C O M
LOS CABOS, MEXICO OFFICE
E-Mail: [email protected]
Ph: (624)143-1346 • Fax: (624)143-2659
LEAD - FREE
(Microwave, Oven, and Dishwasher SAFE)
FACTORY STORE • WHOLESALE AND RETAIL
Great selection of dishes and exclusive designs.
Plaza Alamar L- 8 Madero Street
(around the corner from Cabo Wabo) Cabo San Lucas, BCS.
www.mexicanpottery-art.com • Phone/Fax: (624) 105-0046
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