Traditional Asian Fashion Katie Schleper

Kimono A kimono is traditional Japanese garment worn by men, women, and children. Kimonos are wrapped around the body, always with the left side over the right. The exception to this is when the dead is being prepared for burial. The kimono is secured with a belt like wrap called an obi, which is tied in the back.

Sari Common Indian outfit, worn by women. A sari is a rectangular piece of cloth about 5 to 6 yards in length. Saris are usually embroidered on the border, sometimes with real gold thread. They can be made of cotton, silk, or synthetic.

Bindi A Bindi is a forehead decoration worn in Southeast Asia. They are worn in India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Pakistan They no longer signify age, marital status, religious affiliation, or ethnic background. (I’m guessing they used to.)

Salwar Kameez (Shalwar Qameez, Shalwar Kameez) A Salwar is the long pajama-like bottoms. A Kameez is the long tunic. The Salwar Kameez is worn by both men and women in South Asia.

Cheongsam A Cheongsam is the traditional Chinese dress for women. The male version is a Changshan. Some airlines in China and Taiwan have Cheongsam uniforms for their women flight attendants and groundworkers.

Hijab An Hijab is a type of head covering traditionally worn by Muslim women, but can refer to Muslim modest dress in general. Most Islamic legal systems define this type of modest dressing as covering everything except the face and hands in public.

Hakama Pants Traditionally worn by Samurais to hide leg movements and give the illusion of floating. Worn by both men and women, they are the traditional costume for many Martial Arts.

Kaftan A Kaftan is a Russian, buttoned-down cloak, worn with a sash, that reaches the ankles. By the 19 th century, the Kaftan was the most widely spread type of outer clothing among peasants and merchants in Russia.