The matador

El torero or matador (Bullfighter), also known in Spanish as diestro (right handed, skilled) or espada (sword holder). He is in charge of conducting the lidia (fight) with the capote (cape), bringing the bull to the horse of the picador, perform artistic passes with the muleta (scarlet cloth) and killing the bull. Occasionally he can harpoon the bull using the banderillas, even though that is not mandatory.

Matadors begin their learning fighting erales (two-year-old bulls) at an early age. If they are successful, two years later they would begin to fight novillos (three-year-old bulls with an average weight of 300 kilos). Finally, the time of their alternativa (debut) will arrive and they will begin to kill adult bulls.

La montera
It is a very sophisticated sort of hat. Good ones resemble a wig which perfectly adapts to the head of the bullfighter.

Using a montera implies following lots of rules, protocol and superstition. During the suerte de capote, the matador would be wearing it. However, when he begins to use the muleta he takes the montera with his hand, waves at the audience and throws it to the center of the bullring. The hat will remain there until the end of the faena. Many bullfighters are superstitious and consider that if the montera falls upside down, that will bring them bad luck. For this reason some of them would carefully place it in the right way on the sand instead of throwing it. Also, a matador would never leave the montera on his bed. That also brings bad luck!

Coleta
Artificial ponytail which helps the matador to keep the montera on his head

Hombreras (Epaulets)

Chaleco (Vest)

Alamares (Ornaments)

Fajín (Sash)

Machos (Laces)

El traje de luces (The costume of the matador)

Literally, the lighting dress, called like that because it is covered with sequins in order to reflect the light. It is woven with silk. All the ornaments in the costume of the matador will be golden. Those on the dress of the subalternos (secondary bullfighters) will be silver.

Camisa (Shirt) in white color and ornamented

Corbatín (Thin tie) It is worn around the neck as a tie. It is either black or matching the sash

Chaquetilla (Jacket) It is decorated with different kinds of ornaments, like the alamares or the machos and also woven with golden or silver thread. It is very stiff. Below the armpits, two holes allow the arms of the matador to move the arms easily.

Taleguilla: A mixture of shorts and trousers which covers the bullfighter from his navel to below his knees. This garment is held with suspenders and tied around the calf of the bullfighter with the machos.

Medias (Socks): Always pink and made of silk. Below them the matador wears regular white cotton socks.

Zapatillas: Flat soled black shoes decorated with a lace.