Investing in a Villa for Sale on the Costa Blanca also means embracing a new life in a country full of history, traditions, and beliefs that go much deeper than the sun, sand, and Sangria most people think of. The area's history and cultural changes have also influenced the food produced and the fashion worn.
The story of fashion in the Costa Blanca starts with the Iberian Peninsula’s earliest inhabitants who wore practical clothing made from wool and linen, men wore tunics and trousers and ladies long draped dresses. When the Romans arrived, some sophistication was introduced, and colourfully embroidered toga-like garments became popular and footwear like sandals became desirable.
The arrival of the Moors in the 8th century introduced more elaborate clothing styles to the Costa Blanca region with clothing made of rich fabrics including silk and brocade which became normal for the elite. Gold and silver jewellery became a symbol of status and ladies’ clothes included flowing veils and head covering reflecting the modesty of the Islamic, Moorish lifestyle. Men wore turbans and loose-fitting garments.
Eventually the Christian Kingdoms gradually re-took Spain and European styles of clothing were re-introduced. The renaissance period focused on a more structured form of fashion in the Costa Blanca with women’s dresses featuring bodices and full skirts and men’s clothing becoming more tailored with doublets and breeches becoming very popular. Similar styles of clothing can now often be seen during local Fiestas.
This period in history saw a shift towards more practical working clothes for the fisherman and farmers in places on the Costa Blanca where it is now popular to buy property in Moraira which was once a small fishing community or in the agricultural area of the Jalon valley. Cotton and hemp fabrics were used because of their durability. Nonetheless, some regional flair did exsist with embroidered blouses and bright sashes that could add some personality to an outfit and be protected by an apron when working.
A new era of fashion begun on the Costa Blanca as the increase in tourism in the 20th century brought in international influences. The bikini made its controversial arrival in the 1940s and in the 1950s the Mayor of Benidorm allowed this revealing beachwear to be worn on the towns beaches. General Franco considered the bikini to be shocking. However, at this time Benidorm was putting the Costa Blanca on the map by transforming from a little seaside village into the tourist town that we see today. The decision meant that Pedro Zaragoza Orts was threatened with excommunication by the Bishop of Orihuela. The decision might have brought the town out of obscurity and lead to the popularity of the area both as a tourist destination and a place for people to search for villas for sale in Spain but, at that time the women who wore these scandalous items were “shameless foreigners” and the bishop threatened to put signs outside the town proclaiming it to be” Hell!”. In 1961 on the “Day of Forgiveness” faithful Catholics carried a huge wooden cross up to the highest point overlooking this town of sin and it remains there to this day, ironically as a tourist attraction.
Also, this period saw the introduction of Coco Chanel’s little black dress and women on the Costa Blanca also took to wearing this now iconic item of ladies’ wear, however here it was worn with local footwear like espadrilles and comfortable rope-soled sandals.
Later on in the 1980s there was a trend for sportwear, particularly among the older generation who chose increasingly to take long winter package holidays on the Costa Blanca and chose to wear an array of brightly coloured, matching, shell-suits.
Today this popular Spanish region sees a delightful blend of tradition, modern and international clothing with local boutiques offering unique and handcrafted pieces. Trends come and go but, the emphasis in the warm, Mediterranean, eco-climate is to fuse comfort and style with a growing demand for sustainable fashion. When you buy a villa on the Costa Blanca the main thing you will learn is that you make your own style and wear what is comfortable and suitable for you.
Informtion from your team at Hamiltons Real Estate (formally Hamiltons of London) - 2024
