10 National Costumes
Philippines
Baro't saya is the unofficial national dress of the Philippines and is worn by women. This indigenous mode of dressing of the natives of the Philippines was influenced during the Spanish Colonization of the archipelage name is a contraction of the Tagalog words baro at saya, meaning "dress (blouse) and skirt".
Japan
Kimonos ( ) are traditional Japanese style clothes. "Kimono" meant "something you wear" originally.A kimono is a robe shaped like a "T". Normal kimonos reaches to the ankles, and has very long sleeves.
Vietnam
The Vietnamese traditional dress, "o Di", is one of the most elegant and beautiful dresses for women. Its very simple, consisting of a close-fitting blouse, with long panels in the front and back, that is worn over loose white trousers.
Mexico
Traditional Mexican clothing combines native and European elements. The fibers of choice among the Mexicans are cotton, bark and agave (which were known and used by native Mexican pre-Hispanic civilizations to make their clothes), as well as wool and silk (introduced by the Spanish later).
Africa
In Africa a women's clothing can incorporate beaded and woven skirts, blankets and cloaks with elaborate motifs. The colorful jewelry are made from metal including copper, grasses and beads.
India
The saree is the national dress of India. A saree is a 6 yards of un-stitched cloth that is skillfully draped to impart elegance and grace. This is a traditional dress worn around the country in different styles in the different states of the country.
Spain
The flamboyant and sexy Flamenco dresses that the Spanish women take such pride in are called Trajes de faraleas, always brightly coloured with many layers of ruffles in the skirt and sleeves that swish around as they walk. Though it pretty much covers a woman from head to foot, it seductively hugs the beautiful Spanish figures.
Panama
The pollera montuna ( a pollera for every-day wear) is much less spectacular, a full cotton skirt of floral design worn with a fitted white lace blouse. In comparison the men's costume is very dull. For formal wear they use black pants and a long-sleeved white shirt (camisilla) with gold buttons. A fine straw hat with a black striped design called a pintado and black and white soft shoes complete the outfit and across the breast is worn a coin purse called a chacara. For every-day wear they use brown, mid-calf pants, a long-sleeved calico shirt with or without embroidery, a regular straw hat called a junco and a pair of leather sandals called cutarras.
Sweden
The ready made costume has a cotton waistcoat with hand embroided flowers, yellow pants made of moleskin, a white cotton shirt+ blue silk ribbon, white stockings, hand woven knee-ribbons, hat with hand woven ribbon. Alternatively, one can use ordinary black pants instead of moleskin pants. Only the waistcoat, shirt and if desired, the hat, is then required.
Norway
The bunad is worn for various events including baptisms, confirmations, weddings, folk dancing, and national holidays. It's not just a "female thing" to wear the bunad, as men of all ages are leaving behind the boring black tuxedo for the handsome, comfortable, and colorful bunad.
