COSTUMES
Asia is also known for the unique and classy national costumes. It is sometimes stereotypical that when a person wears too much jewelry, he or she is an Asian. Let's see if that's true!
1. China
Cheongsam
Cheongsham is the most popular traditional costume in China.
The cheongsam is a body-hugging one-piece Chinese dress for women. It is known in as the qípáo in Mandarin Chinese and mandarin gown in English.
The cheongsam is a body-hugging one-piece Chinese dress for women. It is known in as the qípáo in Mandarin Chinese and mandarin gown in English.
changshan
In traditional Chinese dress, a changshan is the male equivalent of the women's cheongsam. It is also known as a changpao. Changshan are traditionally worn in pictures, weddings, and other formal historically Chinese events. A black changshan, along with a black hat, was, and sometimes still is, the burial attire for Chinese men. This costume are not often worn today in mainland China but it sometimes function as a stylish party dress.
2. Japan
Kimono
*upper costume are the different styles of kimono for women and below it are the different styles of kimono for men*
The kimono is the traditional dress of Japan, and it is worn nowadays on formal occasions. It is sometimes accused of being an impractical form of dress, but it has the advantage of giving the wearer a graceful and elegant deportment.
There are various different types of kimono for use at different times and on different occasions. Women's kimono include the furisodé and tomesodé for formal wear, thehômongi for paying calls, the tsukesagé, and the komon. Men's kimono include themontsuki hakama for ceremonial occasions and the haori for going out visiting. There is also the yukata, worn by both men and women as informal dress at home, in ryokan or for attending local festivals. Men's kimono are usually black.
The kimono is the traditional dress of Japan, and it is worn nowadays on formal occasions. It is sometimes accused of being an impractical form of dress, but it has the advantage of giving the wearer a graceful and elegant deportment.
There are various different types of kimono for use at different times and on different occasions. Women's kimono include the furisodé and tomesodé for formal wear, thehômongi for paying calls, the tsukesagé, and the komon. Men's kimono include themontsuki hakama for ceremonial occasions and the haori for going out visiting. There is also the yukata, worn by both men and women as informal dress at home, in ryokan or for attending local festivals. Men's kimono are usually black.
3. korea
Hanbok (South) or Chosŏn-ot (North)
Hanbok (South Korea) or Chosŏn-ot (North Korea) is the traditional Korean dress. It is often characterized by vibrant colors and simple lines without pockets. Although the term literally means "Korean clothing", hanbok today often refers specifically to hanbok of the Joseon (Chosŏn) period and is worn as semi-formal or formal wear during traditional festivals and celebrations.
4. Mongolia
Deel
A deel is an item of traditional clothing commonly worn since centuries ago among the Mongols and other nomadic tribes of Central Asia, including various Turkic peoples, and can be made from cotton, silk, wool, or brocade.
5. India
Salwar Kameez
Salwar Kameez is one of the traditional clothing of women in India. It is made up of long tunic called khameez and a lose pants called salwar.
Sari
Sari is another one of the traditional clothing for Indian women. It is a 6-meter cloth that is wrapped to form a skirt and draped over the shoulder. Usually, it is accompanied by a stitched blouse called choli.
Dhoti Kurta
If Salwar Kameez and Sari are for women, Dhoti Kurta is definitely for men. It is a piece of cloth, usually 5 yards long, that is tied around the waist and legs.
6. Pakistan
Shalwar Kameez
Shalwar Kameez (or Salwar Kameez) is the national dress in Pakistan. It is also worn in both South and Central Asia. The Shalwar is a pajama-like pant, and a kameez is a long shirt that falls to the middle of the thigh, and slit along the waist line.
7. Philippines
Barong Tagalog
The Barong Tagalog is an embroidered formal garment of the Philippines. It is very lightweight and worn untucked, over an undershirt. It is a common wedding and formal attire for Filipino men. The term "barong Tagalog" literally means "a dress that is Tagalog" or "a Tagalog dress."
The barong was popularised as formal wear by Philippine President Ramon Magsaysay, who wore it to most official and personal affairs, including his inaguration as president.
The barong was popularised as formal wear by Philippine President Ramon Magsaysay, who wore it to most official and personal affairs, including his inaguration as president.
Baro't Saya
Baro't saya is composed of the baro or blouse is short-sleeved and collarless. It is usually made of sheer fabrics and at times is embroidered. This is in contrast to the saya or skirt, which is made of simple opaque plaid or striped cotton or sinamay. A tapis or wraparound overskirt would usually be added, and an alampay or panuelo would be worn with the ensemble to cover the bosom.
Couples in the Philippines wearing Barong Tagalog and Baro't Saya.
8. Indonesia
Kebaya
Kebaya is the national costume of Indonesia. This clothing derived it name from the Arabic word Kaba meaning clothing and was introduced to Indonesia by Portuguese. It is an open-fronted long-sleeved tunic worn by women.
9. Cambodia
Sampot or Sarong
The sampot, also known as the sarong, is the national dress of Cambodia and is similar to dresses worn in Laos and Thailand. The difference is that Cambodians wear a checkered scarves called krama.
10. Thailand
Chakri
Chakri is the women's national costume in Thailand. It is made up of Thai silk. The dress includes a back-less and shoulder-less shirt, a ready-to-wear skirt with Na-nang (a typical Thai cutting style on a center of a skirt), and a shawl which is made by organdy.
11. Malaysia
Baju Melayu
Baju Melayu is a traditional Malay outfit for men. The Muslim males in Malaysia wear the traditional dress, baju Melayu, during festivals and wedding gatherings. They will usually wear accompanying accessories like the songkok and samping.
Baju Kurung
Baju Kurung is the female version of Baju Melayu. Baju Kurung is the traditional dress for the Muslim ladies in Malaysia. It is simple and graceful, and covers most part of the wearer’s body.
12. Myanmar
Longyi
The longyi is the Myanmar national dress worn by men as well as women. It is basically a piece of cloth sown into a cylindrical tube, slipped over the head by men and stepped into by the women and tucked in at the waist. Men and women however fasten their longyis at the waist in different ways.