Trinidad is close to the equator and therefore the weather is usually very warm. The dry season is from November to May, but it is hottest between June and October. Although May, June and July can be wet at times, the weather is usually pleasant all year round. The people try to keep cool by wearing thinner fabrics. Clothes are made from linen, cotton, viscose, silk, polyester and nylon.
The majority of Trinidadians wear similar garments to that of North Americans and Europeans. The women wear vest-tops, t-shirts, blouses, skirts, pants, denim jeans and shorts. The men also wear pants, denim jeans, t-shirts, shirts and "shirt jacs." A shirt jac is a shirt or thin jacket with 2 to 4 patch pockets at the front with two or three vertical rows of ten sown down pleats at the back. Trinidadians prefer the short sleeved version and it is sometimes worn with a belt.
Trinidad has settlers from all over the world. Most were brought over from Africa as slaves and have adopted Christianity as well as the western style dressing. Many are from South Asia. Although the earlier immigrants assimilated with the larger population the latter Asian settlers have kept much of their culture. You will find people wearing traditional saris and some men wearing turbans. Most of the Indo-Trinidadians are of the Hindu faith. The next largest religion from the Indian community are Muslims. The women may wear head-scarves known as 'hijab' and the men may sometimes wear the full length Arabic shirt which extends to the ground.
Trinidad is famous for its annual carnival around the beginning of the Christian festival of Lent. During the carnival the participants wear the most amazingly glamorous, glittering costumes. Materials used for this festival are velvet, silk, satin, and lamé. The garments can range from tiny bikinis to gigantic wings that could reach heights of 10 feet or more. They make and wear the most unusual costumes which are adorned with beads, sequins, shells, leaves and other beautiful shiny objects.
