5 TRADITIONAL FORMS OF CLOTHING FROM AROUND THE WORLD

To understand one’s culture it is important to understand their clothing. A country’s folk costume projects everything about their history, traditions, believes and ideas. While the whole world has become globalized now and every nation has almost forgotten its roots, there are still many regions that still embrace their traditional costumes. This article will take you on a trip to the most iconic costumes from 5 countries of the world.

Japan

The most common costume of Japan for both men and women is the kimono. Kimono is an ankle length T-shaped outfit that resembles a robe. Kimonos are wrapped around the body with the help of a sash called obi and paired with traditional Japanese footwear called zori. The basic difference between men and women’s kimono is that of fabric, colors and sleeves. Men usually wear dark colors in matte fabric while women’s kimonos are bright and textured.

Scotland

The most popular Scottish attire that we all know is the kilt. Kilt is a tartan skirt with pleats at the back worn traditionally by boys and men of the Scottish Highlands. The kilt is worn with a waistcoat and a small knife known as sgian dubh. Women wear a long tartan skirt with a tartan shawl and ghillies (traditional shoes).

India

India boasts of some of the most gorgeous traditional costumes for both men and women. Indian Sari is the most common and oldest garb of India. Sari is a long unstitched cloth, usually 4 to 9 meters in length, draped around the body and worn with a blouse. Salwar kameez is another popular garment of India which consists of a long shirt called kameez, trousers called salwar and a stole known as dupatta or odhni. The styles varies from region to region like Patiala salwar suit of Punjab, phiran of Kashmir and suthan of Sindh are some recognizable ones. The most loved Indian wedding dresses for women is the lehenga choli which includes a skirt, blouse and dupatta. The bridal lehenga choli is extremely lavish and elaborate in fabrics, embellishments and the colors used. The groom accompanies in a traditional wedding sherwani or achkan with a churidar bottom and safa (headgear) in similarly lavish pattern. Dhoti and kurta pyjamas are also some folk styles worn by Indian men at traditional functions.

Africa

African clothing displays some of the most elaborate traditional costumes with highly stylized embroideries and color patterns. The Grand Boubou is a flowing wide sleeved robe worn by men in West Africa on formal occasions. These are even passed on to the next generations as family heirlooms. The Dashiki is also one West African attire for both men and women that is widely recognized for their extremely colorful pattern. Mostly worn as a pullover with V-neckline, dashiki has beautifully embroidered sleeves and necklines.

America

While America is mostly recognized for its bold clothing preferences, most of the world doesn’t know of its diverse roots. The Huilpil is a loose tunic traditional worn by native women from Mexico to Central America. The poncho is a widely worn garment of Native America that was originally worn as a pullover garment to keep the body warm. However, now the poncho has become a modern add on accessory prepared in various fabrics.