ASIAN CLOTHING



Though Asia has become Westernized to a large degree, it is still possible to witness its traditions and cultures. Travelers to Asian nations will enjoy the opportunity to see people wearing their traditional garb.

China and Hong Kong

Traditional outfits that can be seen in China and Hong Kong today include the qipao or cheongsam for women and the hanfu, which can be worn by either men or women. The qipao/cheongsam is the dress popularly associated with Chinese clothing. It can be either long or short and has the high clasped collar. The hanfu is a robe similar to a Japanese kimono. Slip-on cloth shoes are worn by men and women.

Japan

Though Japan is a highly Westernized Asian nation, its people are still likely to be dressed in more traditional garb. Clothing worn by both men and women include the kimono robe, wide leg pants known as hakama, silk jackets called haori, overcoats or michiyuki and several types of sandals. Women will be seen with brighter-colored and patterned clothing than men.

Korea

Korean traditional dress is similar for men and women. Both wear baggy blouses called chigori. Bottoms are the baggy and wide ch'ima skirt for women and the wide leg pants called paji for men. Darumagi are robes similar to kimonos and worn for special occasions. Gat-chogori are rabbit fur-lined silk jackets for cold weather.

India

Indian attire can vary by state, but most common are the sari and the kurta pajama. Women wear the sari, colorfully patterned pieces of cloth draped around the upper body and worn over a long blouse and pants. Men wear the kurta pajama, a long -- to the knee or longer -- blouse with loose drawstring pants. Footwear is either sandals or slip-on shoes.

Philippines

In the Philippines, traditional outfits consist of a blouse for men and women, and pants or a skirt depending on gender. Men also wear reed hats known as sakalot.

Modern Fashion Influenced by Asian Ethnic Dresses

As we all know that many of the Asian countries have been heavily influenced by the western world, but this effect has also occurred to the west. With growing "cultural interchange and interaction among differing cultures, [it has] now become a part of their everyday life..." (Yu, Kim, Lee and Hong 100). As Haekyung Yu, Chanju Kim, Juhyeon Lee, and Nayoung Hong had stated in "An Analysis of Modern Fashion Designs as Influenced by Asian Ethnic Dress," "whenever symbols from a new culture, idea, or artifact are introduced, it is often dress that is most receptive to the changes..." (Yu, Kim, Lee and Hong 100), it is evident of interaction and cultural interchange when the more dominant the style of clothes is in the influenced culture. Even today we still have traces of the Asian ethnic dress influenced in western modern fashion. The hanbok, a traditional Korean ethnic dress, for example has been altered, "modified and incorporated to suit the Western lifestyle," (Yu, Kim, Lee and Hong 100).

The same exact alterations occur to many other Asian ethnic dresses such as the kimono and today they still use the kimono sleeves on sweaters and loose flowing tops for women.

The more dominant the cultural dress are in Western modern fashion, the more it shows their relationship with the Asian countries. China and Japan were the two most influential countries on Western fashion because they both have "long history of cultural exhange which would explain why they had such a strong impact on modern fashion," (Yu, Kim, Lee and Hong 107). I noticed how many of our clothes today have some sort of Asian ethnic dress influence such as the kimono sleeves, the side buttons of the cheongsam (qipao), and the high cinch around the bust area from the hanbok. Clearly we still have a reliance on Asian ethnic dresses for Western modern fashion which indicates our need for cultural exchange and global interactions

Influence of Asia in the World Fashion Market

The asian fashion sector is one of the fastest growing segments in the fashion industry. This is mainly due to the fact that the fashion industry has gone global. Earlier, only the designers from eastern countries had gone to foreign land to project their designs. But the availability of their products was hard. Now, products from Asian market are selling in foreign market like they are being sold in the local markets. This feat was achieved manly due to the advancements in the field of marketing and distribution system developed by these designers. This has enabled many to broaden their export market and reach.

This reach and growth of Asian fashion means that it is easier to find more and more Asian influence in the mainstream world of fashion market. This influence on fashion ranges from clothing lines for women to that of sports wear for men. Some of the examples would be that of the contemporary style of low waist jeans for under 30s are heavily influenced by the Japanese market. Most of the designs are influenced by the entertainment industry and the popular culture of the place. Anther example is that of the Japanese school girl look. This is heavily used and marketed by many pop bands around the world.

Designs from Indian market are targeted more at the older sector of the market. They are primarily based on the styles of 60s and 70s influences of the Indian culture. Indian style fabric and choice is used for bringing in the retro styled looks. These bohemian looking designs are made by mimicking the Indian fabrics. One of the first Asian countries to enter the fashion market is the Chinese. Influence of Chinese fashion is evident through out the world market regardless of the place that you choose to shop.

All these influences give us enough evidences to state that the Asian fashion has really come of age. Even though they started by making the products similar to that is found in our market, now they are incorporating their native designs to provide us with a variety look and style. Now you can find anything from sophisticated high-end designer pieces to something for daily wear for everyone. This success of Asian clothing has increased the number of chain stores showcasing their products. Another great option is to go through various websites and order items directly from the designer. This will allow you to compare prices and avail them at a much cheaper rate.