Clothes

Indonesian Clothes

In general, the people wear clothes that are similar to western style. They wear traditional dress on special occasions.

 

MEN: Indonesian men generally wore sarongs (usually with a checkered pattern) in the home. In public, the sarong is worn only when attending Friday prayers at the mosque. For formal national occasions, the men wear batik shirts with trousers or teluk beskap, a combination of the Javanese jacket and sarong.

WOMEN: For formal occasions, Indonesian women wear the kebaya -- a beautiful, figure-hugging embroidered blouse worn with a batik sarong that is usually dyed with flower motifs and in bright colours. On these occasions, women often tied their hair into a bun, or attached a false hairpiece. In addition, they may drape a long stretch of cloth, called "selendang", over one shoulder. This cloth can be used as a head shawl or on less formal occasions, used to carry babies or objects.

Traditional Dress: Indonesia has 300 ethnic groups; each has their own traditional dress variations.

The Minangkabau ethnic group is indigenous to the highlands of West Sumatra. Their traditional dress consists of silk robes with metallic thread woven into the material. Their headdress is shaped like buffalo horns.

The Toraja people live in the mountainous areas of South Sulawesi (Celebes). The women's traditional costume features elaborate beadwork and tassels.

 

Japanese Clothes

Japanese clothing and traditional japanese clothes much like U.S. clothing is worn to compliment the seasons. The traditional forms of Japanese clothing in general is called wafuku. Japanese clothing and japanese clothes are worn also based off a persons age or by the event.

Japanese Clothing - Japanese Clothes and Seasons

In the spring, bright colors and spring floral patterned japanese clothing is worn. In autumn, japanese clothes with fall colors and fall patterns are worn. Japanese clothing designs may include chrysanthemums or maple leaves. In the winter, especially near the holidays, japanese clothing with patterns and designs such as the bamboo, pine trees or plum blossoms or worn for they signify good luck and prosperity. The fabric of the japanese clothing also plays a role in the seasons. In the summer, cotton clothes are worn whereas in the fall and winter, heavier or lined clothing is worn.

Japanese Clothing - Japanese Clothes and Events

Customarily, woven patterns, dyed clothing and repetitive patterns are considered informal japanese clothing. Examples of traditional informal japanese clothing are; cotton yukata, woven cotton haori and dyed ikat kimono. These types of japanese clothes would be used as daily wear, for bath houses or for informal friend and family visits.

Formal japanese clothing normally takes on either of two characteristics; very elaborate designs or a simple elegant designs. A few examples of elaborate designed japanese clothes worn for an event are uchikake wedding kimono and festive happi coats. The more elegant designs, subdued colors or solid pattern formal japanese clothes would be worn for paying formal visits, funerals or by married women for weddings or formal functions.

Japanese Clothing - Japanese Clothes and Age

For women in particular, traditional japanese clothing like the kimono is not only worn based on the persons age but also by their marital status. Young unmarried women wear kimono with long sleeves that are very vibrant, colorful and rich with patterns. Married women or older women would wear simpler more subdued clothes.

Traditional Japanese Clothing Types

The traditional forms of japanese clothing or japanese clothes in general is called wafuku. Traditional japanese clothing can be broken down into the following clothing categories.

Kimono - meaning clothing or things to wear is the basic japanese clothing

Yukata - the summer kimono

Nagajugan - undergarments

Clothing Accessories - obi, shoes, socks, etc.

Haori - short silk jackets

Michiyuki - Overcoats

Hakama - japanese pants

Uchikake - most formal kimono

Shiro-maku - wedding kimono