Celebrating Culture Diversity Month: Culture and Fashion

 In observance of culture diversity month, we honor different cultures and their fashion.  

Sari’s are traditionally worn in many South Asian countries including India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. In Sanskrit the word “sari” can be defined as a “strip of cloth”, and involves the wearer to be wrapped in silk, cotton, and/or synthetic fiber. Sari’s can be worn by both men and women. Typically men have their own form of a sari, a dhoti. Altogether, Sari’s can be considered an heirloom passed down through generations, or just an everyday formal wear. Saris come in all different colors and shades. Yellow sari's are believed to be auspicious, whereas, red symbolizes courage, and white symbolizes purity. Also, texture and material can vary according to the occasion of the wearer. For eg: A silk sari, usually bright in color, is typically worn as part of a religious tradition and at weddings. These Sari’s are often designed with borders and gold threads to give a more glorious look. 

In Japan, kimonos are worn for important festivals and occasions. The word ‘kimono’ can be defined as ‘a thing to wear’. Traditionally in Japanese culture, wearing a Kimono can often imply politeness and good manners. In the 3rd century, the first prototype for the kimono was the kantoi, a one-piece dress without sleeves. Kimonos are stitched by hand, and even machine-made Kimonos still require a considerable amount of hand-stitching. 

In South Korea, Hanboks are considered a traditional Korean dress. These dresses are identified by the use of vibrant colors, simple lines, and by having no pockets. The term “Hanbok” can be defined as “Korean clothing”. The history of the first Hanbok can be traced as far back as 1600 years ago!  Hanbok’s can be worn as semi formal or formal. The dresses typically represent various forms of beauty that the world knows by the “Eight Beauty Of Hanbok”. The Eight Beauty of Hanbok are Beauty of Structure, Beauty of Form, Beauty of Creativity, Beauty of Harmony, Beauty of Color, Beauty of Nature, Beauty of Empty space, and last but not the least, Beauty of Personal character. 

Derived as a traditional dress of Gaelic men and boys in the Scottish Highlands, a kilt is a knee-length skirt-pleated like garment made of woolen cloth in tartan pattern. These pleated skirts can be worn on formal occasions and sport events. Kilts were first recorded to be worn in the 16th century and were often referred to as “great kilt”. Kilts that are seen now, and more modern as they were during the 16th century, and fully emerged in the 18th century. However, kilts only became synonymous with the culture of Scotland, and Gaelitic Heritage since the 19th century. Thus, many patterns were created to show association with a specific Scottish clan, family, or institutions who had a Scottish heritage. However, in more modern times, individuals are able to customize kilts to whatever color and pattern they would like.