Mexican textile workers: from conquest to globalization

During the conquest of Mexico, Hernan Cortes wrote to Charles V that 'the [Indigenous] women of rank wear skirts of very thin cotton'. ¹ Prior to the arrival of Spaniards, the indigenous peoples of Mesoamerica indeed wore cotton clothing and Aztec warriors often used cotton armour, though it protected little against Iberian steel. Pre-Hispanic Mexico lacked sheep and therefore wool.