Asia has some very colorful, interesting and practical national dresses. Due to a common history, many of the national dresses are similar in style with those of their neighboring countries, while many of dresses cross national borders. Take for example the sari - a strip of colorful cloth either five or nine meters long, its draped in different styles around women across the Indian Subcontinent. Similarly, the Shalwar Kameez (pronounced differently in various parts of South Asia) is a long tunic worn over loose pajama trousers. The Shalwar Kameez is worn by women across Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India and Pakistan. Further, Cambodia’s national dress the Sampot, a skirt-like wrap around cloth is a dress similar to that worn in Laos and Thailand. The similarity, comes from the Khmer rule that had immense cultural influences on Lao and Thai culture.

Below, are a few national dresses from around Asia:

Ao Dai:Vietnamese women wear the ao dai. A tightly fitted silk tunic worn over loose pants, the ao dai in modern times is most often worn during traditional wedding ceremonies, however it is often worn as a common high school uniform in southern Vietnam, and by many working women. Throughout Vietnamese history, the ao dai has gone through several transformations - inspired from a Chinese aristocratic gown and Paris fashion in the 1930’s, the ao dai was disapproved by the ruling communists in 1975, it has since then made a popular comeback.

Kebaya: A traditional blouse worn by Indonesian, Malay, Bruneian and Singaporean women, the Kebaya is usually a tunic made of sheer material over a sarong. Originated in Arabia, the Kebaya was introduced to Southeast Asia by the Portuguese.

Cheongsam:A body fitting one piece Chinese dress for women, the Cheongsam is also known as the Mandarin dress in English or the Qipao in Mandarin. Originally, the Cheongsam, was loose, baggy and a wide dress covering most of the woman’s body, revealing only the head, hands and tips of the toes. Over time, Shanghainese women in high class brothels transformed the Cheongsam into its modern form today - a tight, form fitting dress with high side slits.

Lungi Usually worn by men in India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Myanmar, the lungi is a two meter long piece of cloth worn around the waist. Usually found in solid or plaid color designs, the lungi is wrapped around the lower part of a man’s body in many different ways depending on the local tradition. Adorned in places where its usually hot and humid, the one double knot lungi is a practical and comfortable daily attire in South Asia.

Hanbok:Literally meaning Korean clothing, the Hanbok is a traditional South Korean dress characterized by simple lines and vibrant colors. The woman’s hanbok consists of a wrap around skirt and jeogori or jacket, where as the men’s hanbok is composed of a jeogori and baggy pants. Today the Hanbok is only worn on special occasions and holidays.

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