Folk costume

Expression of identity through clothing, usually associated with a geographic area From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Folk costume

Folk costume, traditional dress, traditional attire or folk attire, is clothing of an ethnic group, nation or region, and expresses cultural, religious or national identity. An ethnic group's clothing may also be called ethnic clothing or ethnic dress. Traditional clothing includes everyday and formal wear. The word "costume" in this context is sometimes considered pejorative, as the word has more than one meaning, and thus "clothing", "dress", "attire" or "regalia" can be substituted without offense.[1][2][3][4]

From top, left to right: Filipinos (Igorot), Kenyans, Ukrainians and Peruvians dressed in traditional garments

Following the rise of romantic nationalism[5] in parts of Europe, pre-industrial peasantry came to serve as ideals for genuinity and desirability. Garments evoking peasant dress were made from traditional pre-industrial textiles.

In regions where Western dress styles are common, traditional garments are often worn during special events or celebrations. International events may cater to non-Western attendees with a compound dress code such as "business suit or national dress".

In some contemporary societies, traditional garments are required by sumptuary laws. For example, in Bhutan the driglam namzha mandates what citizens should wear in public spaces.[6] Bhutanese citizens must wear the traditional clothing of the Ngalop people, including a gho and kera for men and a kira and wonju for women,[7] including for official business, schools and institutions, and official occasions and assemblies.[8] These restrictions apply when people are in or near "monastic fortresses (dzong), monasteries (gompa) and temples (lhakhang), and government buildings. Karin Altmann, a textile art scholar, describes the intent behind this law "to prevent specific features of Bhutanese culture from disappearing," and "to emphasize national identity",[8] but it has contributed to conflict due to the ethnic and cultural diversity of Bhutan.[9]

Africa

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Africa

Asia

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Notes

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