Mariachi music has its origin in the stringed instruments introduced by the Spanish. Although these guitars and violins were originally intended to be used as part of the church Mass, the Mexicans adapted them to use in secular folk music.
The first mariachi bands wore the clothing of the Mexican laborer or peasant, reflecting the working class or rural backgrounds of the musicians. The men might wear huarache sandals, wide-brimmed straw hats and white cotton clothing draped with a sarape or wool blanket.
After the 1910 Mexican Revolution, mariachi clothing and music became representative of national patriotism. The mariachis symbolized Mexican pride to the people during the independence day celebrations in Mexico City in 1933, according to MexConnect.com.
As they prospered, mariachis began to wear the traditional "traje de charro" or style of the Mexican cowboy. The outfit consists of a short jacket; snug-fitting pants with shiny buttons; a large bow tie; ankle boots and sombreros.
Although mariachi has long been a purely male pursuit, there are more and more female mariachis, according to an article in "Latina" magazine. Their attire is the standard charro outfit, except with a skirt. Some wear more colorful and feminine pastels.