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Spanish to English translations [PRO] Textiles / Clothing / Fashion / Historical Fashion/Textiles
Spanish term or phrase:biruato
This word appears in a description of traditional 1800's fashion for men in old California (Alta California). Here is the original sentence in Spanish:
"Amarraban los calzones con una hermosa faja de seda or de biruato, con matas de hilo de oro o de plata."
I can't find any reference in any dictionary, etc. to the word "biruato." Any idea as to what this material is?
So far, I have translated this sentence as: "Shoes were tied with a beautiful strip of silk or (biruato) and tassels of gold or silver thread. "
It's very possible that the word is a misspelling. This is a handwritten journal account of men's fashion during that time, and not everything is spelled correctly.
Explanation: As I mentioned in the discussion calzones are trousers, breeches. This seems a bit far-fetched but as I couldn't find anything on the word, I looked up men's fashion in the 1800s in California and found a sentence very similar, nearly identical, to yours:
If in fact it is as Lucia has alluded to in her entry, I found an interesting document: https://issuu.com/mohammeddeaibes4/docs/encyclopedia_20of_20... (pages 114 -115) speaking of the "Buriats" which makes for interesting reading. Regards everyone and stay safe!
The reference I have given is the work of Hubert Howe Bancroft, who lived in California at that time and "...(May 5, 1832 – March 2, 1918) was an American historian and ethnologist who wrote, published and collected works concerning the western United States, Texas, California, Alaska, Mexico, ..." so at least it seems reliable.
@ Bianca, the linked you shared is spot on, and @ Marie, your answer makes sense. There were many Russian settlers in California during this time, so it appears that this was a fabric or sash influenced by the Russians.
Yep, "breeches" or "trousers" is the correct word here for "calzones." Thanks. The rest of the paragraph discusses shoes, but this now seems to be discussing pants.
I don't think we will find anything better than your explanation. I cannot find "biruato", but your explanation appears to be right on! "Breeches were secured round the waist with a handsome silk or crape sash, which was further ornamented with tassels of gold or silver thread". Post it!
Agree with Marie. "Calzones" are breeches/trousers/pantaloons . https://janeaustensworld.wordpress.com/2013/06/21/regency-fa... By the turn of the 19th century, breeches, pantaloons and trousers worn by all men were sewn with a flap in front called a fall front. This flap was universally held in place by two or three buttons at the top. No belts were worn. Instead, breeches, pantaloons and trousers were held up by tight-fitting waists, which were adjusted by gusset ties in back of the waist. Seats were baggy to allow a man to rise comfortably from a sitting position. As waists rose to the belly button after 1810, suspenders were used to hold the garment up.
I think calzones are trousers, not shoes, so the faja is a kind of sash. I can't find it anywhere either, but I suppose it is a typo. Must be a kind of material, here it mentions crepe but can't find any connection: "CALIFORNIA^ TOILETS. 387 The breeches were secured round the waist with a handsome silk or crape sash, which was further ornamented with tassels of gold or silver thread"
Lik you, I cannot find any reference to biruato... However, when I searched images of footwear from the 1800s it appeared that shoes/boots were tied with silk ribbons or leather laces. Just an idea!
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Answers
11 mins confidence: peer agreement (net): -4
faja/cinta azul/negra
Explanation: Isme tercatat sebagai pemegang ban ato sabuk biru ato Q-3 karate.
Isme is listed as a holder of blue belt or Q-3 karate.