Some colourful, some absorbed in history and specific to the country’s culture and others due to circumstance or status, they are all always eye-catching. From the Indian sari to the Vietnamese conical hat, the world is full of different varieties of traditional dress. In this article, we will be discussing 5 astonishing traditional dresses around the world:
1. The Saree, India
Apparently, the simplest item of clothing possible, a single length of fabric, up to nine metres long, the sari is also one of the world’s most versatile and stylish garments, which can be draped in dozens of different ways. The Saree spans all of Indian society, from simple cotton versions that are woven in the street throughout the villages of India to extremely glamorous contemporary styles that grace the catwalk during India Fashion Week.
2. Hetero Women, Namibia
The traditional dress of the Herero women in Namibia is an adaptation of Victorian dress, as worn by the German colonists they fought in a bloody conflict at the start of the twentieth century, and now retained as a proud part of Herero identity. The silhouette is distinctive: a full, floor-length skirt, fitted bodice with puffed sleeve, with a magnificent horn-shaped hat, the shape of cattle horns, completing the look.
3. Kimono, Japan
Meaning ‘the thing worn’, kimonos are the ultimate symbol of traditional Japanese culture. From the seventeenth century onwards they developed as the main item of dress for men and woman, and a means of expression for the individual wearer. They are still worn for special occasions in Japan, such as weddings, with modern adaptations making an appearance all over the world.
4. Seoul, South Korea
Seoul is a exciting, modern city in South Korea, and its pop culture is taking over the world, but at its heart are a series of beautiful royal palaces such as Gyeongbokgung. Here they have revived the costumes and traditions of the Joseon dynasty’s Changing the Guard ceremony, which is re-enacted three times a day.
5. Agbada, West Africa
The Agbada has been a part of the African culture for centuries. Chiefs, rulers, or anybody with a commanding position primarily wore it. Earlier, only the royal families and rich were allowed to wear the Agbada.
