Most of the fabrics used to create colourful outfits such as the quadrille dress, the Kariba suit or the so-called Yucatan shirt allow the skin to breathe during hot weather without compromising style.The quadrille dress is a Jamaican folk costume, worn by women during celebrations, specifically when they perform the so-called quadrille dance.
Interestingly enough, Jamaica’s not the only Caribbean country where women wear quadrille dresses. This type of women’s clothing has also been observed in Haiti, where it’s called karabela, in St. Lucia, where it’s called a Kwadril dress, and in Dominica.
The quadrille dress or bandana skirt, as Jamaicans like to call it, is made out of white and red cotton plaid. Another version of the bandana skirt incorporates white and maroon plaid.
During the quadrille, women typically wear this skirt with a ruffled blouse with sleeves and a head tie. The male dancers wear shirts and white pants made from the same material as the quadrille dress. Some versions of this folk costume include a headscarf that resembles a turban.
