Cultural Significance and Clothing

Many people believe that clothing is a representation of their cultures and beliefs. Factors that affect clothing worn by different cultures are climate, religion, and region. Although fashion constantly changes throughout time, some articles of clothing remain constant with the cultures that made them.

Regions of Style

Sari: Saris are traditional female garments mostly worn by Hindu women in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Nepal. A sari is usually a piece of unstitched cloth that is draped around the woman’s waist with one end and then around her shoulder and midriff. The sari is usually worn over a petticoat with a blouse or a halter type blouse underneath.

There are a large variety of saris today. Women have always been fascinated by the beautiful material and attractive ambiance the sari exudes. Throughout the years, the elegant sari has maintained its grace even though a few changes have been made. Saris appeal to most women because they’re beautiful, feminine, and seductive. They will continue to be a sought out garment in years to come.

Kimono: Kimono in general means ‘garment’. But it has come to mean the traditional garment worn by the Japanese to denote a full length garment. Kimonos are long full length garments that fall to the ankles with wide collars and long width sleeves. Kimonos are wrapped around the body with the left side always wrapped around the right, secured by a wide belt called an ‘obi’ that is usually tied in the back.

Kimonos are mostly worn by women on special occasions. Men wear kimonos at weddings or tea ceremonies as well as other formal occasions. Professional sumo wrestlers often wear kimonos because they are required to wear traditional garments in public. Details of a kimono can indicate the age, social status, marital status, and other characteristics of the wearer.

The attention-catching style of young women’s clothing dates back to a time in Japan when men considered women property. Men sought to show off their young, unmarried daughters to obtain a good marriage–which could mean a dowry and alliance. Kimono defined social status of where you stood economically and socially.

African Clothing: Africans wear clothing dependent upon their faith, culture, and the weather in their areas, or some combination of those. Generally though, Africans tend to favor durable, natural fibers, and clothing that is both useful and beautifully made.

There has been a lot of crossover in style influences between Africa and Asia. You are just as likely to see people wearing caftans in both regions. Silk is also popular in Africa for those who can afford it. Egyptian cotton is recognized as among the best, and is sought after in Asia and around the world.

Aso oke is a traditional style African garment sometimes made from woven strips that are carefully sewn together. The traditional Yoruba women’s aso oke, consists of four parts: the buba (a blouse like shirt), a wrap skirt, the head tie, and a shawl or shoulder sash. Today, some choose not to cut up the garments at all, but wear it draped like a sari.

Chinese Dress: China is a multi-national country. Each nation has a traditional culture of its own. The mutual support and inspiration among different nationals made Chinese dress more plentiful and glorious. The culture of middle Asia deeply influenced the Chinese dress system. The pattern of ancient Chinese dress were classified into two groups, ‘one-piece’ usually worn by men, and ‘coat and skirt’ worn by women.

Stringent rules are made for the color of ancient dress and adornment. Yellow is the most valuable color as a symbol of center. Green, red, white and black symbolize the East, North, South, and West respectively. Green, red, black, white, and yellow are colors applied to emperors and officials.

In modern society, men are seen at social occasions wearing the dignified and refined traditional Chinese long gown, and women often wear the ch’i-p’ao, a modified form of a traditional Ching Dynasty fashion on formal occasions. Some combinations of modern and traditional fashion elements are seen in the modern bridal tiara, based on a Sung Dynasty design and the Hunan Province style of embroidered sash made in the traditional colors of pure red, blue, and green.

Multicultural Beauty