Asia
Man's Tunic
Pakistan, South Asia
This tunic is made of black cotton and is a loose-fitting collarless shirt more commonly known as a kurta. Much like the tunic displayed, kurta tend to be embroidered around the center placket opening of the tunic. This technique is called chikan. While chikan began as white-on-white embroidery work, many other colors are used today; such as red. Kurtas can be worn with a variety of pants, from more traditional shalwars to popular jeans. This tunic, due to its cotton material would most likely have been worn as casual everyday wear as opposed to more formal kurtas made of silk.
Donation from Lubna Rashid Salf
1995.12.001 Lowell D. Holmes Museum of Anthropology
Sari
India, South Asia
Sari, also known by saree and shari, is a drape of fabric that is five to nine yards in length. This fabric is worn wrapped around the waist with one end draped around the shoulder. Sari is typically worn with a fitted bodice (choli). This cultural icon, while depicting a universally recognized image of India, is unique in its own right. Each region in India, through the ages, has developed its own unique sari style and techniques. More formal saris, much like the one displayed, tend to be a silk-like material that is embroidered with silver thread and ribbon. This technique is called gota patti.
Donation from Del Ruff
2007.03.002 Lowell D. Holmes Museum of Anthropology
Obi Sash
Japan, East Asia
The obi sash displayed is one commonly worn with women's kimono. The most iconic image of an obi sash being worn with a kimono is that of the infamous Japanese Geisha. In fact, obis were originally worn around the waist and then tied in a knot at the front to hold the kimono closed. However, due to changing fashions and the growing size of the obi knot, by the end of the 17th century obi sashes were typically tied around the waist in back; an act still done so today. Obis can be categorized by width, design, and material. These three key categories can then help onlookers distinguish for what event is the obi being worn; such as a graduation, wedding, or other important cultural events.
Donation from Bonita R. Zreliak-Craig
2007.01.001f Lowell D. Holmes Museum of Anthropology
Woman's Korean Hanbok
South Korea, East Asia
The two primary garments that make up the hanbok are the bell-shaped skirt (chima) and the short structured jacket (Jeogori). The literal translation of "Hanbok" is "Korean clothing" and derives from the clothing worn during the Josen period. During this time, the hanbok would have been worn regularly. This traditional bell-shaped skirt is meant to highlight the wearer's gracefulness by hiding the movements of the lower body; making the wearer appear to be floating on air. The hanbok is characterized by its vibrant colors and clean lines exemplified by the bright colors and simple pattern of the garment displayed. Today, hanbok is no longer part of daily dress, but is worn for more formal occasions such as holidays, birthdays, weddings, funerals, and even professional accomplishments.
Donation from Yu Tae-Yong
1997.05.041a,b Lowell D. Holmes Museum of Anthropology
Man's Tang Suit
China, East Asia
A Tang suit (or Tangzhuang) has two styles found within Chinese culture, both very strikingly different from one another. These styles either derive from the airy looking and elegant Chinese Hanfu or from the western-cut Manchu riding-jacket Magua. The Mandarin collar and the knotted buttons found on the jacket displayed allude to the Magua jacket, its predecessor. Tang suits can be seen worn during significant political and cultural events, most iconically during the 2001 APEC Summit in China. In this way, both the red jacket and pants of the Tang suit reflect not only traditional Chinese flavor, but modern ideals.
Donation from Jerry Martin
1997.04.002a,b Lowell D. Holmes Museum of Anthropology