It is an expression of the individuality of the bullfighther.
The colors are different according to the taste of the Bullfighter with the most common
being Scarlet (red), Nazarene (purple), pure (light blue), pink stick, white, tobacco
(Brown). Slender bullfighters often dress in light-colored clothing (as the case of
Manolete who wore immaculate white and gold). Bullfighters can be superstitious and
prefer not to use a color which has been worn by a bullfighter who has been killed.
Other times, bullfighters choose colors that are mimic with the bullring so they do not
call the attention of the bull.
There is also the belief that using yellow is bad luck, thus, it is very difficult to see a
famous bullfighter dressed in yellow.
Bullfighters most avoid yellow following a tradition that comes from the Theatre where
Moliere was upset and died in a representation of his sick imagination while dressed in
yellow. Since then, the theatre and, later, the bullfighting world, yellow has been a taboo
color in clothing. Mexican right-handed Alberto Balderas wore a canary yellow and silver
outfit when he was gored in the Mexico mortal-mente on December 29, 1940.
The average price of a suit, which weighs between 3.5 and 5 kilos – depending on the
ornaments – is 3,000 euros, with up to forty people involved over a month and a half to
complete a bullfighter’s suit. If there are no mishaps, it can be worn four or five times.
PARTS
Montera: The matador’s black hat.
Chaquetilla:
Short jacket that reaches the waist. True work of art lavishly adorned of ornaments of
gold and silver. It is extremely tight and is open for armpits to facilitate the movements
of the Bullfighter.
Medias: Usually pink, they often bring others under white.
Coleta: Old fashion in the 17TH century, that persists today in order to hold the
overburden. Currently there are fake.
Corbatín: Very thin tape, usually black, which is tied as a tie.
Camisa: Usually white and ornamented in the front with chorreras
Capote de Paseo: large cape, usualy magenta on one side, yellow on the reverse used
bt the matador when open the show.
Zapatillas: . Slippers are black, do not wear high-heeled and have a special sole to
prevent slipping
El Capote: Fabric of synthetic fibres very heavy r used to fight and evade the bull-
shaped.
La Muleta: the small red cape used in the faena by the torero charged with killing the
bull
Estoque: the killing sword
