7 countries in which men wear dresses and skirts and it doesn't surprise anyone

2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55

From time immemorial, dresses and skirts were considered exclusively women's clothing, at least that's what most people still think. But as it turned out, in addition to Scotland, there is another number of countries where a skirt or dress is considered traditional men's clothing, which is mandatory worn by representatives of the strong half of humanity both in everyday life and to work, study, regardless of age. Therefore, like it or not, but be kind, put on a skirt …

1. Kilt, Scotland

Kilt is often viewed all over the world as a romantic vision of the Highlanders, this is largely due to Sir Walter Scott, who often liked to embellish (and sometimes even idealize) reality.

One of the first written evidence of the existence of the kilt as we are accustomed to seeing it is the publication in 1582 of a multivolume book entitled The History of Scotland. Author George Buchanan describes the kilt as consisting of a tightly woven cross-striped woolen fabric that is worn as a garment during the day and a blanket at night.

Scottish kilts are known as the national dress of Scotland and are highly recognized throughout the world. Kilts have deep cultural and historical roots in the country of Scotland and are a sacred symbol of patriotism and honor for the true Scotsman.

Kilts date back to the 16th century, when they were traditionally worn by the highlanders as full-length clothing, and, as a rule, they were thrown over the shoulders or pulled over the head like cloaks. The wearing of Scottish kilts was common in the 1720s, when the British military used them as their official uniform. The knee-length kilt, similar to the modern kilt today, did not develop until the late 17th or early 18th century.

Early Scottish kilts were made using solid-colored garments that were white or dull brown, green or black, as opposed to the multi-colored plaids or plaids recognized today. As dyeing and weaving techniques improved in the late 1800s, plaid patterns were developed and over time they became native to Scotland along with the use of plaid fabric.

During the 19th century, Scottish kilts were a form of ceremonial dress and were worn only on special occasions and primarily at formal occasions such as weddings, sporting events, highlander games, and holiday celebrations. However, thanks to the global cultural process of recognizing Scottish identity in America, rethinking traditions and creating Scottish-American heritage, the Scottish kilt is increasingly recognized as an acceptable form of clothing at informal parties, as casual wear or casual attire, and returns to its cultural roots. The Scottish kilt has become a mandatory uniform for the Scottish football team Tartan Army and has been encouraged by the fans.

2. Gho, Bhutan

The traditional clothing of Bhutan is one of the most distinctive and visible aspects of the country. All Bhutanese are required to wear national dress in schools, government offices and official events. Men, women and children wear traditional Bhutanese textile clothing with a variety of colorful patterns.

Men wear gho, a long robe that looks like a Tibetan forelock. Bhutanese people lift gho up to their knees and hold it in place with a cloth belt called a kera. The kera is tightly wrapped around the waist, and a large bag (or pocket) formed above it is traditionally used to carry a bowl, money and other goods.

According to tradition, men are required to carry a small knife called a dozum on their belt. The traditional footwear is high, embroidered leather knee-high boots, but now they are only worn on holidays. Most Bhutanese men wear leather shoes, sneakers or hiking boots.

Gho's come in a wide variety of patterns, although they often have checkered or striped patterns. Floral patterns are taboo, and solid reds and yellows are avoided because they are the colors worn by monks, otherwise the patterns have little meaning. Historically, Bhutanese men wore under their gho what a real Scotsman wears under a kilt, but today it is usually a pair of shorts. In winter, it is correct to wear thermal underwear, but more often it is jeans or a tracksuit. A formality in Thimphu dictates that the legs cannot be covered until winter, which is defined as the time when the monks move to Punakha.

Formal occasions, including visiting a Dzong (Fort Monastery), require a scarf called a kabni, which identifies a person's rank. The booth must be worn correctly so that it hangs exactly as it should. In dzongs and on official occasions, a dasho or someone in authority carries a long sword called a patang.

Ordinary male citizens wear kabni of unbleached white silk, and each official (male or female) wears a different color: saffron for the king and Je Khenpo, orange for lionpo, blue for members of the National Council and National Assembly, red for those who wear the dasho title and for senior officials recognized by the king, green for judges, white with a central red stripe for dzondag (district governors), and white with red stripes outside for the elected village leader.

3. Longji, Burma

Traditional clothing is still worn by many people in Myanmar throughout the country. Visitors are more likely to see locals dressed in traditional wardrobe than in modern clothing, even in today's Yangon city.

No matter where visitors are often, they are sure to stumble upon traditional Myanmar or Burmese clothing. Myanmar men and women either go on Easter or thami, which are considered longji (skirts / dresses). These clothes are traditional clothing for both men and women. Weaving is another traditional art form in the country. This is why every ethnic minority in Myanmar has its own textile traditions.

4. Jellaba, Morocco

Many cultures have a suitable outfit or garment that is comfortable, versatile, stylish. In Morocco, it is djellaba, a long sleeveless garment with a hood that comes in dozens of different styles and can be worn by both men and women.

They usually run right down to the ground, although some may be slightly shorter for easy walking. Almost all jellaby has a large, loose hood designed to keep out the wind and sun in the desert. Djellaba differs from other popular Moroccan clothing such as caftans and gandoras.

Jellabytes range from simple designs in lightweight fabric for daily use, to heavy fabrics for cold weather, to delicate fabrics with intricate embellishments for special occasions, although not as intricate as a caftan. This versatility makes them one of the must-have items in the Moroccan wardrobe.

5. Fustanella, Greece

Fustanella is a knee-length skirt similar to a Scottish kilt that men wear for military and ceremonial occasions not only in Greece but also in the Balkans. Today there is a lot of controversy about which nation introduced the fustanella to the other (as Albanian traditional dancers still wear it today). Nevertheless, this garment remains an important cultural identifier in Greece.

With a long history, fustanella is today associated with the costume worn by the Evzones, the National Guards who stand in front of the Parliament building in the center of Athens. To understand its origins, historians point to a statue dating from the 3rd century BC located in Athens, which depicts a man dressed in clothes similar to fustanella. This costume may have evolved from traditional clothing worn in Ancient Greece, but was popularized in its modern form in the last centuries of the Byzantine Empire. Some believe that the Albanians introduced it to the Greeks in the 14th century.

Fustanella is made of strips of linen sewn together like a pleated skirt. It is believed that some men, such as General Theodor Kolokotronis, wore a fustanella with four hundred folds, which symbolized each year of Turkish rule over Greece, although some sources say this is more like an urban legend.

Of course, the style has evolved over time. In the 18th and early 19th centuries, the fustanella hung below the knees, and the hem of the clothes was tucked into the boots. Later, during the reign of King Otto, the length was shortened to the knee to create a wavy shape.

6. Sulu, Fiji

Fiji's national dress is sulu, which resembles a skirt. It is usually worn by both men and women. Sulu are either elaborately decorated with patterns or monochromatic. Many men, especially in urban areas, also have Sulu Waka Taga sewn as part of their work or church suit. Many men also wear a western-style collared shirt, tie and jacket, with a matching "Sulu Waka Taga" and sandals.

7. Hakama, Japan

While most foreigners are aware of the kimono, another traditional Japanese clothing called hakama is not as well-known among visitors in Japan. Hakama are skirt-like pants worn over a kimono. This is a traditional garment for a samurai and was originally intended to protect the rider's feet. After the samurai dismounted and began to look more like foot soldiers, they continued to wear rider clothing because it made them stand out and easily recognizable.

However, there are different styles of hakama. The type of clothing worn by martial artists today is called the joba hakama, the clothing is similar to pants and is very comfortable to walk. The hakama, which looks more like a skirt called the "flashlight" or "bell" of the hakama, was worn when visiting the shogun or emperor.

Read the next article on how why are girls dressed in pink and boys in blue, and where did such strange and boring gender stereotypes come from.