National Costumes From Around The World - Research

National Costumes

    

    National costume is a costume that is depicted a country uniqueness. In this blog, I want to share some of the national costumes for my inspiration of making the design for city costume, Connecticut, Cromwell. 

    Indonesia, Bali

Balinese Traditional Costume

    In Indonesia, the traditional Bali costume is the most popular worldwide. In Bali, the national costume for women is Kebaya (Redlotus, 2022). According to Redlotus (2022), Kebaya is made of lace and combined with a corset underneath. Also, the Kebaya is worn with batik kamben, which is similar to a sarong and tied with 'selendang' (waist-tied sash); Occasionally, women in Bali wear flowers (frangipani) in their hair, which is called Jepun in Bali (Redlotus, 2022). Redlotus (2022) mentions that men in Bali wear white shirts and topped off with batik kamben covered in saput fabric, fabric with an ornate border. Then, men will wear 'Udeng' as a headpiece and a sash known as 'selendang' (Redlotus, 2022).

    Ancient Greece

Greek Costume

    In Greece, their traditional costume is rich with coloured fabrics, numerous layers, and native textiles influenced by the folk fashions in Central Europe (Cooper et al., 2023). However, the man's and the woman's costumes are quite different. The man's costume includes "...the fustanella, which is a pleated skirt with a white shirt, and the vraka, a white shirt paired with loose trousers." (Cooper et al., 2023). Moreover, according to Cooper et al. (2023), the woman's costume is the poukamiso, which is the base chemise layer onto which beautifully constructs the aprons, bodices, vests, and scarves. 

    Romania 

The Romanian Traditional Costume

    In Romania, their traditional costume is equipped with symbolized identity and heritage, so at present, the Romanian national costume is filled with legacy emblems (Civilisable, n.d.). Women in Romania wear the le blouse and Fota; the clothes are elaborate with patterns and vivid hues, which creates the classic elegance and cultural legacy shown through the costume (Civilisable, n.d.). According to Civilisable (n.d.) that for men, they are wearing cămașa, opincă, and căciulă, which also elaborates with detailing and colourful prints. The traditional costume does not show elegance and function but also contains a powerful symbol of Romanian cultural pride.

    Scotland

Scottish Traditional Costume

    In Scotland, their traditional costume is the most shown in the tartan fabrics, either the woman's or the man's costume. National Clothing (2014) mentions that the man costume is divided into four garments, which are ancient kilt attire, great kilt attire, semi-formal, and casual; however, in all the garments, the man traditional costume will include "...a kilt, a sporran, a sgian dubh (a small, single-edged knife), a kilt hose, and ghillies (traditional shoes)". Moreover, women's clothing will include ghillies, tartan skirts, and a tartan shawl; the length of the skirt can vary (mini skirt, midi skirt, or maxi skirt) or also be as a gown model (National Clothing, 2014).

    South Korea

South Korea Traditional Costume

    In South Korea, their traditional costume is called the Hanbok. Hanbok is a generic term that covers a thousand years of Korean apparel (Kim, n.d.). Kim (n.d.) mentions that the Hanbok design changes over time regarding the dress folds, sleeve lengths and widths, and shapes. Hanbok is made up of two longer garments called chima (long skirt that is worn by women), baji (trousers that are worn by men), and jeogori, which is the upper garment that is a jacket-like top wrapped closed at the front (Kim, n.d.). Moreover, according to Kim (n.d.), "Long outer coats known as durumagi also appeared during this period, which continued to be worn for more than a thousand years."

    

    This research is helping me to consider what design I will make for the national costume for Connecticut, Cromwell. I will make the national costume with Connecticut's symbols, such as the American robin (bird), mountain Laurel (flower), Connecticut's tartan, and more.

    Reference List

Cooper, M., M.A.S. and B. S. History (2023). 25 National Costumes to Connect to Cultures From Around the World. [online] LoveToKnow. Available at: https://www.lovetoknow.com/life/lifestyle/national-costumes-world [Accessed 20 Apr. 2024].

Redlotus (2022). Balinese Traditional Clothes - What You Need To Know. [online] Ubud Villas Rental. Available at: https://www.ubudvillasrental.com/balinese-traditional-clothes-what-you-need-to-do/ [Accessed 20 Apr. 2024].

Civilisable. (n.d.). Romanian Clothing: 4 Insights on Roots and Cultural Impact. [online] Available at: https://civilisable.com/traditional-romanian-clothing/ [Accessed 20 Apr. 2024].

National Clothing. (2014). National dress of Scotland. Men’s and ladies kilt - Nationalclothing.org. [online] Available at: https://nationalclothing.org/europe/16-scotland/9-national-dress-of-scotland-men-s-and-ladies-kilt.html [Accessed 21 Apr. 2024].

Kim, J. (n.d.). Hanbok – traditional Korean dress · V&A. [online] Victoria and Albert Museum. Available at: https://www.vam.ac.uk/articles/hanbok-traditional-korean-dress#:~:text=History%20and%20influence&text=During%20the%20Three%20Kingdom%20period [Accessed 21 Apr. 2024].

    

    Bibiliography

Smiedt, D. (2021). 16 of the world’s most beautiful national costumes. [online] Escape. Available at: https://www.escape.com.au/top-lists/16-of-the-worlds-most-beautiful-national-costumes/image-gallery/873212a551a9d6ab19cc1f1b754e42f7 [Accessed 20 Apr. 2024].

Park, A. (2023). In pictures: traditional dress around the world - Rough Guides. [online] Rough Guides. Available at: https://www.roughguides.com/gallery/traditional-dress/ [Accessed 20 Apr. 2024].