All You Need To Know About Myanmar's Traditional Dress Designs

Traditional dress is still worn by many Myanmarese people around the country. Visitors are more likely to see locals dressed in a traditional wardrobe than modern clothing, even in the modern city of Yangon. Here, all you need to know about Myanmar’s traditional dress designs.

Burmese traditional wear

Regardless of where visitors frequent, they are going to come across the traditional Myanmarese or Burmese dress. Myanmarese men and women across the country are rocking either a pasoe or htamein both of which are considered to be a longyi. This clothing is the traditional wear for both men and women. Weaving is another traditional art form in the country, and those who are elite still wear the lun-taya acheik cloth. Each ethnic minority in Myanmar have their own textile traditions.

What is a Pasoe?

What is a Htamein?

While denim styles come and go, htameins are here to stay in Myanmar. This is the traditional garment worn by women across the country in Myanmar. Unlike the male’s version which are usually plain in color, htameins can be vibrant, colorful, and filled with patterns. They are also made up of a number of different materials. These pieces of cloth used to be folded and wrapped like the men’s paseo, however, the design got more fashionable if you will. Some cylindrical skirts had a strip sewn to the top of the htamein to keep from folding it, making it look neater and preventing it from wrinkling. These skirts can be made for both formal affairs as well as everyday wear.

History

The traditional Burmese wardrobe dates back to 1750s. It was worn in the Konbaung court, and the clothing was embellished with stunning jewelry by those who held positions of power, for example, court officials. Women wore floral head ornaments, uniquely decorated blouses, felt footwear, and a htamein, which many women can still be seen wearing today. Men’s traditional outfits were embellished with a turban, hnyat-phanat slippers, a silk jacket embroidered with fur, and a cotton shirt. The dress changed slightly at the end of the British era. It also changed when Indian immigrants made their way to Myanmar, the style was altered slightly to mimic their dress.

Ethnic groups

The four main groups in Myanmar are the Shan, Akha, Nagas, and the Pa-O. These Burmese indigenous people and ethnic minorities wear various types of clothing that differ from the dress worn by most of the people. The Shan women, however, wear the htamein. They are relatively light and are, for the most part, well-suited for Myanmar’s hot climate. Shan men wear Mandarin-style tops and loose-fitting slacks.

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