Please note that this is most definitely and opinion piece!

In most of the west, jeans, plain tops, and sandals (or athletic shoes) are the most common form of dress. Sometimes skirts and blouses and occasionally a real dress makes an appearance, but for the most part the clothing is conservative even when it tries to be daring. Today, I am going to introduce you to some other fashion statements from other countries that you might not have ever encountered before.

Thanks to a television program, NCIS the fashion subculture, Goth is not totally unheard of. But the show’s forensic scientist, Ms Abby Sciuto, is hardly daring in her dress compared to the many styles that are seen in Japan.

Goth Lolita (or Gothloli) is but one of the subculture Lolita fashion movements in Japan. The basic Lolita premise is to create a sweet, pretty (or beautifully innocent) appearance, but there are at least ten named variations (or, subtypes,) of the Lolita fashion. I particularly like Wa Lolita which incorporates modified kimono and haori with petticoat style skirts, and Classic (Aristocrat) Lolita with its Regency style elegance. Of course, Goth Lolita is in a class of its own. For some very lovely images of real people wearing these (and other) Lolita styles see Lolita Fashion at Wikipedia.

India has developed its own fashion archetypes, most of which do not merely follow the west’s. Saris, despite how much they typify most westerner’s vision of India, are actually almost a modern development. In fact, the National drape, now seen everywhere is likely not much more than a hundred or so years old. Traditionally, saris range in length from 5 to 9 yards of cloth with borders along the length and at least one fancy ned border (the Pallav or Pallau). but even this is not standard throughout India as there are traditional cloths without any decoration and some with two pallevs. Stictched clothing also exits (for example salwar and kameez) as well as jackets and vests and the far more traditional dhoti and veshti still worn in a few regions. Modern Indian fashion is, however, greatly influenced by this country’s own film industry (Bollywood) to an enormous extent with fantasy cloths featuring embroideries, jewels, unusual fabrics in an amazing array of opulence. There has even been some fusion of Indian style with western for evening gowns and formal wear especially.

My own personal preference is for traditional weavings in 6, 8 and 9 yard lengths, (although I am planning on purchasing a two 4 yard set of cloths that may predate the invention of the modern sari but as a direct ascendant). My favorite source for saris at present is Sari Safari in Portland Oregon. I was lucky enough to obtain an 8-yard and a 9-yard sari from the late Chantel Boulanger, who spent many years promoting draped clothing and made an in depth study of the dying drapes of India. (I believe her book may still be available from Sari Safari.)

Africa as a continent is only now beginning to come into its own as a fashion center. While the mainstream is mostly western there is a strong emergence of high style based on traditional clothing and adornment. Stunning and amazing are two words that describe some of these works perfectly. Sadly, my knowledge of this movement (or perhaps collection of movements, for Africa is not one country and culture but many of both) is very lacking. If you know more, please write about it in the comments section. I’d love to hear from you!

This entry was posted on Monday, August 9th, 2010 at 12:37 AM and is filed under Style Mastery Series. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.