Traditional dress around the world

Traditional clothing is an important part of a region’s history and identity. Some areas regard their national dress as an unofficial uniform, to be worn only on ceremonial occasions. In other societies, traditional clothing is mandatory for both men and women.The team at Escapade have been busy researching traditional clothing from across the globe. From the Russian Sarafan to the Japanese Kimono, take a look at their guide to the world’s most iconic folk costumes.

The Sari, IndiaSari is one of the most common outfits used by the women of India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka. The exact origin of the sari is not known but researchers have successfully shown the existence of sari during the Indus Valley civilization.Sari is the national dress for the women of India. A sari is basically a long strip of cloth and the length of the sari varies from four to nine meters. There are a number of different styles in which you can wear a sari and in the most common style, you need to wrap the sari around your waist and you are then required to drape the other end over the shoulder baring the midriff. The petticoat and the blouse are also used with a sari. The blouse forms the upper garment while the sari is worn over the top of the petticoat. The blouse has short sleeves, low neck and it can be backless or of a halter neck style. A blouse is also known as a choli.

Facts about SariThere Are About 100 Ways To Go About

DrapingYes, you read it right—there are over 100

ways you can wear a sari. Such a huge number of variations occurs due to differences in

geography and cultures among and within countries. Take India as an example; there are many cultures within the country which have

influenced the manner in which saris are worn.

So, whenever you wear a sari, always remember that there is no single way of going

about it.It Wasn’t Always A Sari

The word ‘Sari’ is relatively new and was derived from a Prakrit word called ‘Sadi’

which, in itself, originated from a Sanskrit word called ‘Sati’. The word ‘Sati’ means a

strip of cloth. Now there are many variants of Sari which may not necessarily come as a

single piece of fabric, back in the past it was just a single piece of fabric.

Older Than You ExpectedWhile it is quite understandable that Sari is old

in time considering it called a traditional garment, but who could have imagined it to be

centuries old. Many suggest that saris are as old as 5000 years old—which is ridiculously

shocking!Let me pique your interest in the history of sari

by telling you this: the first documented statute wearing a sari dates as far as 100 BC.

There are many statutes from the 2nd century which depict saris and that too in a range of

styles.There were no petticoat and blouse onceIf you did not know already, there was no

concept of blouse and petticoats when it came to wearing a sari. In fact, women used to drape

sari around themselves without them. It was only during the Colonial times that blouses and

petticoats became popular.In the Victorian era, exposing one’s chest was

considered immoral, and this notion of what is and is not moral was imposed on colonies—

India being one of them.

Colors Have MeaningThe color of a sari was traditionally important back in the past and it still is though not with

the same rigor.For example, a white sari is worn by a Hindu

widow and represents the state of mourning. Red is worn during marriages and is also

associated with fertility. Yellow saris are worn for engaging in ascetic practices as well as

during period following childbirth. Black sari is said to represent the state of sadness and you would notice that the color is not usually used

in saris.Is It Difficult?

The general verdict is that saris are one of the easiest traditional outfits out there. When they

say that you just need to drape it, they are saying right. However, it is be noted that there are many styles of saris and not every one of them is easy to pull off. Moreover, even if you do, you need to keep in mind that your blouse is not too tight or loose and petticoat does not

stick out.

Kilts, Scotland

A traditional kilt is a kilt made from Scottish worsted wool, using 8 yards of tartan cloth, hand stitched and hand pleated. A kilt made this way using traditional methods preserve the Scottish tradition and preserve the art of traditional kilt making.There are several reasons why traditionalists prefer this type of kilt versus a light weight or more casual kilt. It is no secret that full 8 yard kilt will ?hang? and ?swing? better than the 5 yard kilt as the full 8 yards allows for deeper pleating at the back.Traditionally all kilts were fully hand stitched by kilt makers, which is a lengthy process, taking on average around 15-20 hours for one kilt. Customers have often commented on how great it makes them feel knowing that the hands of a kilt maker have hand-stitched their kilt.

SECRETS ABOUT KILTS

Kilts have deep cultural and historical roots in Scotland. They’re a time-honored symbol of

patriotism and they are carefully stored between wearings.

The word ‘kilt’ is a derivation of the ancient Norse word, kjilt, meaning ‘pleated,’ and it refers to

clothing that is tucked up and around the body. The Norse were all over Scotland, generally

uninvited, and it’s a fine irony that the word for kilt is of their derivation.

The first mention of kilts is in 1538. They were worn as full-length garments by Gaelic-speaking Scots Highlander men. The knee-length kilt that we see today didn’t come around until the early

18th century.A proper kilt is usually accompanied by a sporran, a small bag worn around the waist and over the

kilt. It’s the Gaelic word for purse; A kilt pin holds the two pieces together at the front; and

the Sgian dubh (skee-an doo) is a small dagger that sits in the sock.

The belted plaid became popular for Highland men during the 17th (By 1822, they were mostly

worn for ceremonial events.) This ‘great kilt’ emerged as a sign of affluence. In Gaelic, it was

called, breacan-an-feileadh or tartan wrap. There was also a woman’s version that came into

style during this time. Called an arisaid, it was worn down to the ankles, and made from white

tartan cloth with a wide-spaced pattern. In the late 17th century, the small kilt

or phillabeg was first worn. This is the bottom half of the kilt, gathered into folds, belted at the

waist, and falling just above the knee. A separate piece of cloth was worn over the shoulder for

protection and warmth.

Tracht, Southern Germany and Austria

In recent years, traditional Bavarian clothing has had something of a revival and is now more

popular than ever. Called Tracht in German, this distinctive form of dress was once worn day in,

day out by men, women, and children in the Alpine regions of Bavaria and Austria. For men,

the most recognisable element is, of course, the lederhosen; for women, the dirndl is the most typical piece. In recent years, wearing Tracht

has become a major part of the festivities at the Munich Oktoberfest.

The DirndlThe Dirndl, or female dress of "Tracht", also

emerged in the 18th century as a servant's or maid's dress. This simple dress generally consisted of a blouse, bodice, full skirt and an apron and it

was practically suited for a woman's work around the home or a farm at the time. Women typically

wore slightly different styles and fabrics in the winter and in the summer. The winter dirndl was

often a full dress with long sleeves, made of heavy cotton, linen or wool with warm skirts and aprons.

In contrast, the summer dirndl was made of lightweight cotton and short-sleeved blouses were

worn under sleeveless, tailored bodices.

Just as the Lederhosen experienced a fashion trend among the nobility, the dirndl was also adopted

into the upper echelons of society in the late 1800's, around 1870. Suddenly, the simple dresses

made of practical fabrics, were transformed into very stylish, colorful dresses often made of silk,

satin and other expensive fabrics.

The Lederhosen, which are said to have emerged in the Alpine regions of Germany and Austria, were the trousers of the working peasant community -

they were sturdy and held up to the rigorous work of the time. However, leather trousers were

actually worn in many regions of Europe by riders and also hunters. But it was in the south of Germany or "Bavaria" that a unique style

developed - a pair of leather trousers with a front drop "flap". This style became quite popular and in

France the style was dubbed "a la bavaroise" or "Bavarian style". During the Rococo period of the

18th Century it was also fashionable for the courtly society to emulate the simple life of the peasants, and hence, the style also took hold in the nobility. While the peasantry wore both short Lederhosen and longer styled "Kniebundhosen" made of goat or sheepskin that was dyed black, the nobles, who

were often adept hunters, chose to make their Lederhosen of deerskins - a much softer and higher grade of leather. These were then richly decorated

to symbolize their nobility.

The Lederhosen

Gho, BhutanThe men in Bhutan adorn themselves in a knee-length, robe-like cloth which is wrapped around

their bodies and nicely secured with a belt. Known as 'Gho', this outfit forms a pouch-like area in the upper part and is used for storing various things-

traditionally betel nuts but now mobile phones! It is highly worn during formal occasions and large

gatherings.The gho or g'ô is the traditional and national dress for men in Bhutan. Introduced in the 17th century by Ngawang Namgyal, 1st Zhabdrung Rinpoche, to give the Ngalop people a more distinctive identity, it is a knee-length robe tied at the waist by a cloth belt known as the kera (སེྐད་རགས་). On festive occasions, it is worn with a kabney.The government of Bhutan requires all men to wear the gho if they work in a government office or school. Men are also required to wear the gho on formal occasions. In its modern form, the law dates from 1989, but the driglam namzha dress code is much older.

Facts about GhoThe Gho is a knee length cloak for men that is tied at the waist with a Kera, or cloth belt. Ghos have a

cuff that can be folded or pinned in place. Ghos come in a wide variety of patterns, often with plaid

or striped designs. Government workers are obliged to wear the Gho for work, and all

Bhutanese men use it for formal occasions.For formal wear, men use a Kabney, or silk shawl, draped over the Gho. The Kabney is draped over

the left shoulder and the right hip. It is compulsory for all men to wear a Kabney while visiting

monasteries, government offices and formal occasions. The Kabney is a symbol that signifies

different groups or professions, so there are different colors and designs of a Kabney for

different professions and levels.For formal occasions, men can wear special boots called Tshog-lham, traditionally made of leather

and silk. These boots look very beautiful because they are richly embroidered and embellished with colorful decorations. Men wear them for weddings

and festivals such as Tshechu.

Steps to wear a GhoStep 1: Under the Gho, men wear a Tego, a long-sleeved short jacket.Step 2: Put on the Gho, and tuck the right front panel into the left and bring the left panel over to the right.Step 3: Grasp the Gho at the sides and fold around towards the back.Step 4: Secure the Gho around the waist with a Kera (woven belt), to form a pouch in the Gho. This makes a pocket for many things.Step 5: Fold the sleeves of the Gho together with Lagay (cuffs). A Gho needs to be folded only once to form a cuff.

Traditional dress of Thailand – Chut Thai

The traditional costume in Thailand is called “chut thai” (the translation is “Thai dress”). It is

charming – bright and delicate, fitting and modest at the same time. But, like many other

people in the world, locals seldom use their folk outfit in everyday life. Nevertheless, you can see lots of Thais dressed in the national

clothing during the ethnic festivals, celebrations, weddings, and other special

occasions. But the most extraordinary chut thai are women’s Thai formal dresses. They totally

deserve to be called royal outfits.One of the main crafts in Thailand is weaving. Every ethnic group in this country has its own traditions connected with textile producing –

unique patterns on the fabric that help to distinguish the ethnicity, specific colors used

for a certain purpose of the clothes, traditional weaving techniques, etc.

Ruean Ton is the most casual national Thai outfit for women. It is generally worn for non-official functions where a smart standard of dress is

required.Chakkri has a long tube skirt (sinh) with two front pleats. The upper garment, known as a sabai, is

an elegant shawl-like item that wraps around the upper body and trails to the ground at one side.Siwalai is a type of formal evening attire that is

often worn at royal ceremoniesBoromphiman is very similar to siwalai except for

the shawl-like sabai.Chitlada is used as formal ceremonial wear for

daytime events.Amarin makes an appearance at formal evening

events.Similar to chakkri, chakkraphat is usually thought

to be more formal and modest than its counterpart, usually worn at royal ceremonies.

Dusit is a fairly Westernised form of national Thai dress, often worn at international events and

less-formal evening functions.

Official chut Thai for women

Official chut Thai for men

Although there are various traditional outfits worn by men, there is only one formal male

national outfit. Known in Thai as suea phraratchathan (“royally-bestowed shirt”), the shirt is fastened up the front with buttons, has

a long collar, and can have sleeves of any length. Long-sleeved shirts are generally worn

with a sash; this is the most formal type of suea phraratchathan. It is usually worn with

Western-style suit trousers and a suit jacket may be added to the outfit for a greater degree

of formality.The shirt is similar to the older raj pattern shirt-

cum-jacket, which is also sometimes worn by men at cultural events. The raj pattern shirt is

typically worn with the wrapped chong kraben and long socks.

Kimono, Japan

The Japanese kimono is one of the world's instantly recognizable traditional garments. The word kimono literally means "clothing", and up until the mid 19th century it was the

form of dress worn by everyone in Japan. That began to change slowly with the import of suits dresses and other western fashions

during the Meiji Era.Thanks to the popularity of ukiyo-e woodblock prints in the West at the beginning of the last century, the kimono-clad maiden became one of the quintessential images of Japan. Dressing up in the kimono and other accoutrements of

the geisha or maiko is still one of the more popular activities for visiting tourists.

Facts about Kimono

Inspiration of KimonoThe kimono's form was first introduced from

China as underclothes? Found from encyclopedia,during the Muromachi

period (1392 - 1568), both men and women wore it underneath before getting dressed.

Another known nameInitially, the kimono adapted another name

called ‘gofuku’ as stated in Wikipedia, “(呉服 , literally clothes of Wu (吳 )” this name came about due to the heavy influence in the Han

Dynasty.First appearance

As stated in Wikipedia, it first arrived in Japan during the Jomon period (14,5000 B.C. - 300 B.C.), with no discrepancy between man and

women.

Kimono’s translationAnother interesting fact found

from encyclopedia, the term Kimono, directly translate to “Thing to Wear”. In order to differentiate Japanese clothing

from Western clothing, the word Kimono became more popular in Japan during the

19th century.Materials required

Found from Wikipedia, this traditional attire requires sashes and a wide obi to put it in

place. Apart from that, accessories and ties are also crucial to complete the proper

look.Women’s Daily Kimono

Judging from the pattern and the colour on the fabric, we would be able to see how formal the kimono is. Aside from that, longer sleeves indicates that they are usually younger women who are not

married yet.

Hanbok, Korea

Hanbok is the traditional Korean costume. It called Hanbok (한복 ) in South Korea and Joseon-ot (조선옷 ) in North Korea.The hanbok we know today refers to the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). It is characterized by riot of color and simple lines.Han means ‘’Korea’’ and Bok means ‘’Clothing’’. It refers specifically to clothing of the Joseon period and is worn as semi-formal or formal wear during traditional festivals and celebrations.It was the daily clothes until 100 years ago; nowadays it is only worn for special events like birthdays, weddings or public holidays (especially Chuseok, a major harvest festival in Korea).

Facts about HanbokThe common image of Hanbok that everyone sees today was created and fixed during the reign of the Joseon Dynasty, over 1600 years

ago. Fabrics used to sew Hanbok were quite diverse. In the past, Koreans used silk to sew the vestment lines. For everyday-wear, the Koreans used hemp or linen. Today we use many synthetic materials to tailor the modern form of Hanbok.

There is a variety of colors scheme used to make a Hanbok outfit. There is no restriction on the choice of colors used to make the Hanbok. They are usually made in a blend of colorful designs. Short jackets for women always include bright yellow, burgundy or turquoise with wide sleeved skirts in navy. Hanboks for men are usually made in white, black and blue.

The Hanbok varies according to different circumstances. For those who work or have a job that is an important or of formal nature, they have a specific outfit. For a wedding, there will be a special Hanbok. For a funeral, there will be one for mourning and when Koreans hold ancestor sacrifices, they wear a ceremonial Hanbok. It depends on the purpose of events that Koreans attend.

Recently, a modern version of the Hanbok has received lots of attention from people, especially young people who love to use it as a street outfit.

One thing that we can easily recognize about the male and female Hanbok is that for men, the traditional Hanbok has less complicated seams and decorative patterns in comparison to female Hanbok. In general, male outfits focus on simplicity and convenience. For women, there are many more of cloth, with 6 different types of seams including the inside pronged seams to make Hanbok socks.