Traditional Clothes From Around The World Young Generations Still Rock Today

The Tibetan robe is the major traditional clothing item of the people from Tibet. Known as ‘Zhuba’ in the Tibetan language, the robe is loose-fitting, has sleeves longer than 30 centimeters and a wide waist. The lower hem of Tibetan robes are often edged with pulu, fine fur, or colorful cloth.

It usually has leopard skin or black strips for decoration. There are five types of Tibetan robes which are lambskin robes, sheepskin robes, woolen robes, garments, and pulu woolen robes.

The kente fabric from Ghana is one of the most famous African textiles. Back in the days, it was the perfect choice for royalty, with chiefs and kings using it for beauty adornment.

Today, the kente cloth is worn by any person and is not only used for special occasions and ceremonies but for everyday use as well. While kente cloth used to be made from raffia palm fibers in the past, it is made of cotton today.

In the land of Hungary, the babushka is one of the few traditional clothing which is still in use. In a place where modern clothing is popular, the babushka stands out.

A scarf that is usually tied over the head, the babushka complements modern outfits. This scarf comes in different colors, styles, and designs. It has even been adopted by other people outside Europe.

Saree, also spelled sari, is an item of traditional clothing worn in India. It is a unisex piece of clothing, even though it is mostly worn by women. The sari traditionally was a single piece of unstitched fabrics, having heavier sections acting as a drape.

In modern times, saris cover several contemporary materials like synthetic fiber, silk, cotton, and more. The sari can simply be an everyday wear or an heirloom handed down through generations.

Chut Thai is the traditional dress of Thailand. Worn by traditional Thais, it also doubles as the national dress for formal occasions. The design of the chut Thai has three parts which are the sabai, the blouse, and the pha nung.

The sabai is a simple strip of cloth draped on the shoulder and chest, while the pha nung is wrapped around the waist.

Very popular in Scandinavia, the bunad is a colorful Norwegian folk dress. Even though it is commonly worn by women, there are bunads for men as well.

A tight-fitting outfit, bunads are made with wool and adorned with buttons, metal buckles, and jewelry. It is a festive costume and can be seen at weddings and other celebrations.

The pollera is the traditional dress of the people of Panama. Usually worn during festivals and celebrations, it is a two-piece outfit made up of a long skirt and a shirt.

The Pollera is usually white with flower patterns for adornment, giving it an exquisite look.

The Takeshita is a stylish two-piece traditional outfit worn by women in Morocco. The two layers of this outfit are called Takchita and Dfina.

The upper layer, which is the Takchita, is usually covered in sequins and embroidery giving the women a beautiful outlook. Takchita is mostly worn during celebrations especially weddings.

Hanbok is traditional clothing from South Korea that the young generation still wears today. This clothing usually comes in bright colors, having simple lines with no pockets.

Hanbok can be worn for formal as well as semi-formal events such as celebrations and festivals. Quite popular in the Joseon period, hanbok has stood the test of time and is still in style today.

Habesha kemis is the traditional clothing worn by Eritrean and Ethiopian women till today. It is an ankle-length dress made of cotton, which is usually worn at formal events.

Habesha kemis comes in three major colors which are beige, grey and white. A shawl, known as netela, is usually matched with the hebesha kemis.

With a name translating to ”a thing to wear,” the kimono is the traditional clothing of Japan and is still in fashion today. The kimono is worn for formal occasions and important events in Japan.

In fact, the formality of this clothing makes it associated with good manners and courtesy. Kimonos are usually sewn by hand, with the machine-made ones requiring some hand-stitching as well.

Gora is the region between Armenia and Kosovo, where the nomadic Gorani people inhabit. Just like every country on this list, the Gorani people have their traditional clothing which is still in fashion today.

One of the traditional items of clothing is the jelek jacket, which is worn by men. This jacket comes in different bright colors and is usually worn over plain white tunics.

The deel is the traditional clothing of the Mongols. This clothing has been around for centuries and is popular among the tribes of Central Asia and the Turks.

Usually made from brocade, cotton, wool or silk, deel is quite similar to a kaftan. Most deels reach the wearer’s knees. Deels come in a variety of colors which include burgundy, olive, and blue.

One of the earliest civilizations in modern-day Europe, the Portuguese are known for their unique fashion. The saia skirts worn by women is one of their surviving pieces of traditional clothing.

The saia is often designed in striped or checkered patterns of white and red, completed with a white blouse and handkerchief, which is used to cover the hair.

Agbada is one of the most popular traditional clothing worn by men in Nigeria and other West African countries. A free-flowing wide-sleeved robe, the agbada is usually made from aso-oke.

It features intricate embroidery and is usually for ceremonies. The modern agbada comes in different styles depending on the taste of the wearer.

The sarong for men is Sri Lanka’s most peculiar traditional clothing which is still popular today. It is a long piece of cloth that is wrapped around the body.

The sarong is worn with a long-sleeved shirt in some regions, while it is worn alone in hotter areas. The sarong is styled in different ways; some men wrap it like a skirt while others tie it making a knot in front.

The Scottish kilt is quite popular around the world. Popularly known as a men’s skirt, the Scottish kilt comes in checkered patterns. One interesting fact is that it is worn by both men and women alike.

The Scottish kilt is still popular today and is a common sight at Christmas parties, graduation ceremonies, weddings as well as football matches.

Batik is an Indonesian fabric which is quite popular around the world. Traditionally made by artisans, the batik fabric is sewn into shirts which are commonly worn by Indonesian men. Batik is produced by forming intricate patterns on fabric using wax-resist dyeing techniques.

There are two types of batik shirts: the long-sleeved Batik shirts for formal outings and the short-sleeved ones for semi-formal and casual outings.

The oldest Chinese traditional clothes, the hanfu is one of those items that are still in style today. The hanfu is a long flowing robe with a loose upper garment called ”yi” and a skirt-like lower garment called ”chang,” as well as a waist belt.

The hanfu is loose-fitting, with the belt used for closure. Hanfu is worn for formal and semi-formal occasions.

The coppola is a traditional Italian cap which is popular in Sardinia as well as other parts of Italy. Today the cap is widely worn around the world.

It is typically made of velvet, tweed, linen, cotton, wool, or denim. Coppola is used as a winter beret but is also effective as a summer cap.

The Hashimi dress worn by the Iraqi women is a traditional attire that is still in fashion today. The dress has been adopted by different cultures around the world and is popular in many middle-eastern countries.

Most Hashimi dresses come in black and gold colors, although the variance includes red and gold, as well as green and gold. It is often matched with jewelry.

Commonly mistaken as a religious dress, the abaya is the Qatari traditional clothing which is quite common in the Middle East. A free-flowing black robe, Abaya is usually worn over other clothes as an overall.

It is an everyday outfit worn by Qatari women. Abaya is often donned along with a black headscarf. This black headscarf is called a shayla.

The chokha is the Georgian traditional outfit and is still very fashionable in today’s world. In fact, the chokha is recognized as a symbol of national pride.

It is a woolen coat having a high neck which is worn by Georgian men at formal events, weddings, and other celebrations. There are about four types of chokha, which include the khevsur chohka, the adjarian chohka, the karti-kakheti chokha and, the general caucasian chokha.

The largest island in French Polynesia, Tahiti is a country rich in culture. Their fashion is one of their best exports with the Tahitian tapa being one of the most popular. Tapa has survived through the ages and is still widely worn today.

Tapa is made from the bark of certain trees through a local process. Tapa is used all through the life of a native Tahitian as it is made into different kinds of outfits as well as household linens.

One of the world’s earliest civilizations, Greece is a country rich in culture and tradition. The Greek people have a lot of traditional clothing that is still relevant today, and the karagouni is one of them.

Karagouni is made up of several layers of clothing which include a long sleeveless coat, an outer garment made of wool, a white underdress, and an embroidered vest. This ensemble is then completed with a red apron. Karagouni is worn on regular days, and also on formal occasions with extra ornaments added.

The national dress of Ukraine, the vyshyvanka is still popular and well in fashion in modern day. Just as sophisticated as its name, vyshyvanka is a product of intricate designs. It is an embroidered shirt, which is made solely of designs peculiar to Ukrainian embroidery.

All vyshyvanka outfits have the basic colors of white, red, and black, and can be supplemented with green, blue, and yellow. Vyshyvanka is a symbol of national pride, and every third Thursday of May is set aside as the International Day of Vyshyvanka.

Aiyr kalpak is a traditional cap worn in Kazakhstan. The aiyr kalpak is an upturned and pointed cap that is intricately designed. The cap is well designed with eye-catching and unique ornamental patterns that represent the Kazakh culture.

Usually worn by the upper class, including the rich, nobles, and royals, the patterns on the cap represent power, social status, and wealth.

The bihor jacket of Romania is still in use today. The traditional jacket caused controversy in 2017 when fashion powerhouse Dior produced a collection inspired by its style. Bihor was first produced in the 19th century and has remained popular since then.

It is made of pure leather and is entirely handsewn. Bihor jackets come with various embroidery patterns as well as different colors. It is worn by both men and women as an everyday clothing item.

The barong tagalog is traditional clothing that serves as the national dress of the Philippines. Simply referred to as barong or baro, this outfit for men is a long-sleeved shirt that comes with embroidery.

Barong tagalog is a product of combining elements from pre-colonial Filipino fashion and Spanish fashion. Although barong was woven from abacá in the past, it is made from materials such as polyester, ramie, and silk in modern times. Barong tagalog is set aside for formal occasions.

Shuba is one of the few surviving elements of Russian fashion. Shuba (fur coat in the Russian language) is an essential part of both male and female fashion, as a result of the severe weather conditions in Russia.

The design of the Russian fur coat has evolved to match modern style, but its purpose remains the same.

Khalat is common in Turkmenistan to this day. Usually made of cotton or silk, khalat is a knee-length robe worn over other pieces of clothing. The patterns of the khalat are always particular to the village where the wearer comes from.

It comes in different colors including red, blue, white, and black. Khalats are worn for simple and casual outings.

Shúká is traditional clothing worn by the people of Kenya. It is a sheeted garment usually wrapped around the body.

These garments usually come in red, often mixed with other patterns and colors, including plaid and flowery prints. Shúká is worn mostly by the Massai people.

The dirndl is German traditional clothing that is still in use today. Dirndl is a three-piece outfit that consists of a wide blouse, a long skirt with a corsage, and a colorful apron.

In the past, dirndl used to be the working dress of servants, but it is now more classy due to modernization. Dirndl blouses come in different colors including pink, red, and black. It is a common sight seeing women clad in this outfit at Oktoberfest.

Futa is a traditional Yemenite attire that you can be sure to come across on a regular basis. It is a wrap-around male skirt that is worn to cope with the hot sun and weather in that region.

Usually handmade, futa comes in different colors including black, white, and red, as well as patterns including stripes and checkers. Futa is a garment that nearly every Yemenite has due to the convenience it offers.

Saya is a Bulgarian gown worn by women. This traditional gown is coat-like, usually, opening down the front and worn over aprons and chemise. It is quite similar to a kimono.

The design of a saya depends on the wearer, and as such, it comes in different colors, sleeve lengths, and fabric designs. Saya can be worn for casual, semi-formal, and formal occasions depending on how heavily it is decorated.

Áo dài is the national garment of the Vietnamese people and has been for a long time. It is a long and tight-fitting tunic worn with trousers.

Áo dài is made of silk and is even the official outfit for several Vietnamese beauty pageants around the world. Although it used to be a unisex outfit, áo dài is mostly worn by women today.

Tupenu is Tongan traditional clothing that is still widely worn in Tonga today. Having male and female variants, the Tupenu is a wrapped garment quite similar to the Sri Lankan sarong.

Women tupenu are usually wide enough to cover from the waist to ankles, while the male variant covers from the waist to the knees. Tupenu comes in different qualities for different occasions. There are, therefore, certain tupenu for casual outings, formal outings as well as celebrations.

The cueca dress is one of the most popular traditional clothing in Chile. It is a tight dress with a full skirt that reaches just below the knees. Many cueca dresses have a floral pattern and come with a waist sash.

They often come in white, blue, or red, the Chilean national colors. This dress is worn for celebrations and festivals.

The unique suzani silk thread of central Asia has been a common fixture in Uzbek fashion for years. A beautiful silk thread, the suzani is used to make embroidery on local clothing.

The embroidery stands out on men’s shirts, gowns, as well as robes. It is also used to decorate bridal wear and household linens.

Mesoamerica covers the area from Central America to Central Mexico. The traditional clothing that is still worn in this area is huipil. A garment worn by women, the huipil is a loose-fitting tunic usually made from woven fabric.

The huipil is worn sometimes with a blue morga, and is decorated with lace, ribbons, and embroidery.

The baju kurung is the Malaysian national dress and has been in style for many years. The name baju kurung roughly translates to ”enclosed dress,” which is the perfect description for this traditional Malaysian dress. Baju karung for women is made up of a blouse and skirt.

The blouse has long sleeves, no collar, and reaches the area between the hips and knees. The skirt, on the other hand, is crafted from a long cloth with folds at the side. Baju kurung is made of silk and is usually combined with a tudung for celebrations.

Kira is the traditional clothing of the Bhutan women that young generations still wear today. In fact, it serves as the national dress for these people. Kira, an ankle-length dress, usually comes with a rectangular piece of woven fabric.

This fabric is pinned on both shoulders using brooches and fastened to the waist using a long belt. Kira comes in different colors and is worn with a rachu.

The traditional Spanish veil, called the mantilla, is still used widely by Spanish women today. Made of silk or lace, mantilla is mostly worn during religious celebrations and weddings. It is usually worn on a high comb known as the peineta and held in place using pins.

A white mantilla is worn for church weddings and other celebrations, while a black one is appropriate for a meeting with the Pope.

Izicolo is a traditional hat that married native South African women wear. Izicolo is made of grass intertwined with white or red cotton. In the past, izicolo was a sign of marriage, and as such, was sewn into the hair of the women. Tjis ensured that it could not be taken off.

In recent times, this tradition has changed, as the hats are no longer sewn into the hair and are worn only on special occasions.

Still very popular in modern-day is the thobe, which Saudi men and boys wear. It is a long-sleeved ankle-length garment that doubles as a religious wear.

A thobe is very similar to a kaftan in style. Thobes come in many colors including black, brown, white, and grey—but white is the most common color. Pants are usually worn underneath this garment.

Meri blouse is the most popular traditional clothing in Papua New Guinea. Worn by the women, it has been in use since the time of missionaries.

Meri blouses can be used for both formal occasions and informal outings, with the difference being the style and materials with which it is sewn. The color and length also depend on the wearer.

The men’s kanzu is traditional clothing in Tanzania that is still widely worn today. This robe comes in beige or white. Kanzu is different from normal robes as it has a tassel that hangs down from its collar.

The kanzu is made of silk or polyester and is usually worn with a bishit and a kofia. Kanzu is often worn for weddings and other ceremonies.

In modern-day Côte d’Ivoire, the women still wear clothes made from pagne, an Ivorian fabric. Just like the Ghanaian kente, pagne comes in different colors and designs.

It is made into different styles such as two pieces, gowns, and robes, depending on the choice of the wearer. Pagne fabric tells a lot of stories about the strength of Ivorian women.

Lava-lava is a Samoan sarong that is worn by both men and women in Samoa.

Lava-lava comes in different styles and patterns. It is a single piece of rectangular clothing that is worn as a skirt.

The Javanese traditional clothing that is still worn today is known as the kebaya. It is a traditional blouse-dress combination worn by women originating from the Javanese Majapahit Kingdom.

In the years before 1600, the kebaya was worn exclusively by aristocrats, nobles, and the royal family. It has become adopted by everyone in recent years. The kebaya is made from lace, silk, velvet, cotton, and brocade.

In Pakistan, shalwar kameez is the traditional clothing that refuses to go out of fashion. Shalwar kameez is the combination of two clothing items. Shalwar is a pair of trousers which are usually wide at the waist but narrow at the bottom. The shalwar is usually pleated at the waist due to the elastic belt and drawstrings which is used to hold them up.

Kameez is a long tunic usually worn over the shalwar. Shalwar kameez is for both men and women but worn more by women. It is suitable for informal, semi-formal, and formal occasions depending on the style.

Rahvariided, which means ”clothes of the people” in English, is the national costume of the Estonian people. Rahvariided is greatly tied to the national identity and the sense of statism of the Estonian people and as such is still worn during national festivals today.

This ensemble is made up of linen fabric and wool outerwear, along with gloves and belts.

Sulu is the traditional clothing of Fiji that is still in vogue today. It is a kilt-like garment used by both women and men. Women sulus are known as sulu-i-ra while the one for men is called sulu vakataga.

This garment is a rectangular piece of clothing that comes in different lengths. Traditional sulus are tied at the waist, while the modern one comes with buckles. It is worn for both semi-formal and formal occasions.

Shalvar is a pair of baggy trousers that forms part of the Iranian traditional fashion. Shalvar is typically big at the waist, while gathering tight at the ankle.

It is worn by both men and women, as well as the young and old. Shalvar is usually worn with shirts or tunics depending on the wearer’s choice.

The lliclla is a traditional cape worn by the Quechua women of Peru. A square woven cloth, the lliclla is designed to cover the shoulders and back. At the front, it is secured using a straight pin known as tupu.

Set out for festivals and special occasions, llicllas are decorated with bright colors. The llicllas are also used by women to carry children.

The zupan is a national costume of the Polish people, which has been worn by Polish men since the 16th century. A long garment that is usually lined, zupan is made from a number of materials with some more sophisticated than others.

These materials include crimson, brocade, and damask. Expensive zupans come with jeweled or golden buttons. Zupans comes in different colors including red and green. It is usually worn during Polish festivals and celebrations today.