The 18th century was the period when the "rebozo" flourished. Because the mestizas were not allowed to dress as the natives or as the Spanish females, they had to create their own attire, thus emerged this garment. Besides being decorative it is quite functional and depending on the region and the work of each weaver it has its own characteristics. Today it forms part of all the typical costumes and of certain folklore dances, such as the "Jarabe Tapatio" and "La Bamba". These are quite costly and it is difficult for them to compete with the times giving way to a diminish ing production.