Although traditional indigenous clothing is rarely worn in towns nowadays, getting out to some of Mexico's  villages, the variety of colorful will appeal everyday. In general, the more remote an area is, the more intact its costume traditions tend to be. In San Cristóbal de las Casas in Chiapas, it is still possible to see indigenous people wearing traditional dress.

Traditional costume, more widely worn by women and men, serves as a mark of the community to which a person belongs and may also have meanings related to a person's status in the community or to religious or spiritual beliefs.

There are 4 types of women's garment that have been in use since long before the Spanish conquest:

• Huipil: a sleeveless tunic, often reaching as low as the thighs or ankles. It is found in the southern half of Mexico
• Quechquémitl: a shoulder cape with an opening for the head, mainly worn in the center and north of Mexico
• Enredo: a wraparound skirt, almost invisible if worn beneath a long Huipil
• Faja: a waist band that holds the enredo in place

Blouses, introduced by Spanish missionaries, are now often embroidered with just as much care and detail as the more traditional garments. The rebozo which certainly appeared in the Spanish era, is a long shawl that may cover the shoulders or head or be used for carrying.

The basis materials of indigenous weaving are cotton and wool, which were long before home-made. Today, the use of factory yarn, including synthetic fibbers, is more common.

Colors, too, are often synthetic. Mexicans use bright modern shades in some highly original combinations, but some natural dyes are still in use or are being revived. Among the colors of these latter dyes are deep blues from the indigo plant, res and browns from various woods; reds and pinks from the cochineal insect; and purples and mauves from a secretion of caracol púrpura (purple sea snail).

The basic indigenous weaver's tool, now as before, used only by women, is the telar de cintura (back-strap loom). 

Mexico's most famous blanket- and rug weaving village is Teotitlán del Valle, Oaxaca, which produces, among others, fine textile copies of pre-Hispanic and modern art, including versions of works by Picasso, Escher, Rivera and Miró, as well as pre-Hispanic geometric patterns.

Also useful and decorative are the many tablecloths and shoulder bags found around Mexico, and in particular in Michoacán and Oaxaca. Commercially woven table cloth can be a good buy, as they're often cheap and can serve a variety of purposes.