Nepal Dress

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Are you thinking of traveling to Nepal? Do you want to learn about the Nepalese culture, traditions, and Nepalese clothing styles? Do you want to live like a local during your Nepal vacation? If so, look no further as this article explains in deep about the Nepalese styles of dressing. You will also gain a detail information on how Nepalese people dress in ceremonies, festivals, marriages and other occasions.            

Nepal is a beautiful country nestled in the lap of the Himalayas. With several majestic peaks and alluring landscapes, Nepal is indeed one of the best vacation destinations in the world. Apart from these amazing natural splendors, the country also has a rich cultures and traditions to stun you.  There are over 100 ethnic casts with unique history, heritage and traditional dresses that reflect their customs and traditions. These traditional Nepali dresses are a symbolic part of the culture and art of the country. These Nepalese dresses reflect the essence of nationalism.

Culture and heritage play significant role  in the dressing sense of Nepalese people. The climate and weather is another factor that shapes the dressing styles of the Nepalese. Thus, mostly the culture and the living region of the people  influence to the dressing styles of most of the Nepalese communities and people. From the terai region to the high elevations, the dresses of Nepal are distinct and vivid and represent respective heritages and cultures.

What is the National Dress Of Nepal?

The national dress of Nepal for men is the “Daura Suruwal.” It was declared the national dress in the 19th century by the then Prime Minister of Nepal, Janga Bahadur Rana. The name Daura refers to shirts, and Suruwal refers to trousers. The dress has become essential to Nepali culture for years because of its religious and historical significance.

Daura Suruwal features eight strings, also considered a lucky number by the Nepalese people. The strings refer to Astamatrika-Singini, such as :

• Kumari
• Biagini
• Barahi
• Indrayani
• Brahmayani
• Maheshwari
• Mahalaxmi
• Byasnabi

The traditional dress also has a closed neck, symbolizing the snake on God Shiva’s neck. So, the dress is worn mainly by “Brahmins” because of its religious significance. Most government officials also wear it as a part of their dress code. The demand for “Daura Suruwal” has been increasing in recent years because of its popularity among the younger generations.

What is the National Dress of Women in Nepal?

The national dress for women in Nepal is the “sari” or “dhoti kurta”. The sari is a lengthy piece of cloth draped around the body and is commonly worn with a blouse and petticoat. On the other hand, the dhoti kurta is a two-piece outfit comprising of a long, loose shirt known as “kurta” and a lengthy piece of cloth wrapped around the legs resembling a skirt, called “dhoti”.

It is important to note that Nepal is a diverse country with multiple ethnic groups, each having their own unique traditional dress. For instance, Newari women wear a traditional outfit known as “Haku Patasi”, consisting of a blouse, skirt, and shawl. Similarly, Tamang women wear a colorful dress called “Tamang selroti”, featuring intricate embroidery and beadwork.

Popular Dresses of Nepal

Dhaka Topi

The Dhaka topi is a type of headgear that is traditionally worn as a part of the Nepalese national dress, symbolizing the Nepalese identity. It is made from a fine cotton cloth originally imported from Dhaka, the capital city of Bangladesh. This topi became popular during the reign of King Mahendra and is considered a significant aspect of Nepalese culture.

The Dhaka topi has a round base and a height of 4 to 5 inches, representing the mountains of Nepal. According to tradition, it symbolizes the mountains after the ice has melted, leading to lush greenery and vegetation in the mountain regions.

To keep traditional Nepali dress alive, Nepali people worldwide celebrate the International Nepali Dhoti and Topi Day on January 1st. This day is an occasion to showcase and celebrate the beauty and significance of Nepalese culture and heritage.

Gunyou Cholo

The Gunyou Cholo, also called Chaubandi Cholo, is a traditional blouse worn by women in Nepali culture. This blouse is usually wrapped and can be styled with either an open or closed neck. Typically, it is made of cotton fabric and features a red or white geometric print, although colors may vary depending on the specific Nepali culture being represented.

When wearing a Gunyou Cholo, women often pair it with gold ornaments to enhance its beauty and cultural significance. This traditional blouse serves as a visual representation of      Nepali culture and heritage, allowing for the recognition and celebration of various customs and traditions.

Sari

For many decades, women have been adorning the traditional garment known as a Sari. It is one of the popular Nepali dresses among women. This elegant attire comprises a dress, a blouse, and a piece of fabric draped around the shoulders. It is often paired with a plethora of gold jewelry and ornaments to complete the look.

Saris are particularly popular during festive occasions and are considered formal attire for Nepalese women. The garment holds a significant cultural value and represents the rich heritage of the Nepalese community. 

Kurta Suruwal

Kurta Suruwal is one of the popular Nepal dresses among Nepalese women, which consist of two garments. The lower part of the dress is called suruwal, which serves the purpose of a trouser. Whereas, the upper garment is called blouse or kurta. The kurta is made up of cotton or silk. The dress is paired with a beautiful, collared scarf. Kurta suluwar is sold in a variety of designs and combinations in Nepal.

Shirt & Pant

The respective Nepal dress is a popular choice of clothing for both women and men in Nepal. The shirts are available in different varieties, some of which are simple, or decorated with patterns, prints and embroidery. These shirts can be long-sleeved or short-sleeved. You can choose between them according to the occasion or preference.

The pants are made from cotton on denim and can stretch to full-length or ankle-length. The combination of shirt and pants are comfortable for everyday wear. Also, you can wear it on several occasions, outings, and business meetings.

Coat Paint

Despite Daura suruwal being a popular Nepali dress, western dresses such as Suit are a popular choice in Nepal for special occasions and formal events. The suit consists of a shirt, pants and a tailored jacket, which is usually made from cotton or wool. The dress is paired with a shoe and a tie.

The suit is seen as a symbol of sophistication and professionalism and is worn by professionals, businessmen and politicians. Also, it is a popular choice of option for weddings, and other formal events.

Lehenga Choli

Lehenga Choli is a traditional Nepali dress for women, which is also popular in other Asian countries such as Pakistan, Bangladesh, and India. The dress consists of a blouse or choli and a long skirt or lehenga. The garments are usually made from lightweight fabrics such as silk and are decorated with beadwork, decorative elements and intricate embroidery.

The choli is usually sleeveless or short-sleeved and is adorned with beautiful embellishments to compliment the design of the lehenga. Further, the lehenga choli is topped with a dupatta or a long scarf, which is worn around the neck. The dress is a popular choice of option for formal occasions such as cultural events, festivals and weddings.

Nepalese Traditional Dress: Ethnicities and Regions

The traditional dress of Nepal varies greatly depending on the ethnic group, geographical region, and social status of the wearer. The clothing is often made of colorful fabrics and adorned with intricate embroidery, beadwork, and patterns.

Nepal’s traditional dress is a symbol of the country’s cultural identity and a means of expressing individual identity and pride. In this way, the traditional dress of Nepal represents the country’s diverse cultural heritage and the unity that comes from embracing and celebrating these differences.

Let’s look into the top 5 traditional dresses in Nepal to gain a better perspective of the Nepalese people’s rich cultural heritage and creativity.

Gurung Traditional Dress

The Gurung community live in the central mountain region of Nepal such as Pokhara. These people are of Mongolian descent and researchers claim they migrated to Nepal from Tibet around 2,000 years ago. The Gurung people mostly wear their traditional attire during festivals, events and ceremonies.

Gurung & Magar Women Traditional Dress:

The traditional dress of the Gurung women is generally characterized by cholo or blouse. The blouse is typically red or black and is adorned with various patterns and designs. In addition, the dress features a long skirt called a lungi or phariya.

Apart from these two outfits, another major part of the attire is the ghalek, a piece of cloth. It is hung from one shoulder to the opposite side of the waist. Also, the Gurung women are adorned with gold and silver ornaments. This includes nose rings, gold earrings, amulets, bracelets and anklets.

Gurung Men Traditional Dress:

The traditional Gurung men’s dress includes two main components. It includes bhoto, which has multiple laces which need to be tied together. The next part of the Nepal Gurung dress is the Jama or skirt, which wraps around the waist and runs down to the knee.

Further, the traditional Gurung dress features a long cloth tied around the waist. It allows the men to carry Khukuri when they are doing household chores. Apart from this, the men also wear bhangra, which is outerwear. It is wrapped around the chest of the Gurung men in an “x” shape. A Nepali top or hat completes the outfit.

Newari Traditional Dress

The Newari people have a unique culture and tradition reflected in their food, drinks and traditional dress. The outfits of the Newari people are associated with merchants, farmers, aristocracy, and artisans. To help you gain additional knowledge, we have listed some of the significant Newari outfits.

Tapālan: Newari men wore a shirt called tapālan, and trousers were known as suruwā. A coat or waistcoat completes these two outfits. The dress is worn on special occasions such as ceremonies, rituals and festivals. It is distinct from other Nepalese dresses.

Hāku Patāsi: During your visit to Nepal, you will see Newari women wearing black cotton saris with a red border. The dress is known as hāku patāsi. The dress is worn during festive occasions, rituals and ceremonies. Women wear an additional outfit called the misālan, accompanied by a shawl. The upper part of the body is wrapped around by a piece of cloth called gā.

Sayn Kaytā: It is a classic pair of men’s trousers. This was worn mainly by courtier classes and merchants during the early days. The outfit is made of raw silk and worn with a cotton cummerbund and a long shirt.

Parsi: Some Newari women wear printed or plain saris, known as Parsi. Like any other sari, it features many pleats tied with a piece of string. Saris such as these are said to be 20 yards long.

Sherpa Traditional Dress

Another unique traditional Nepal dress is of the Sherpa people. The sherpa community of Nepal is culturally rich and has been living in the Himalayan landscapes of Nepal such as Everest region. Their living in such isolation has cut them off from being influenced by other traditions and customs in Nepal.

As a result, their heritage remains distinct and rich to this day. It has also led the traditional dress of the Sherpa to evolve throughout the years into a unique set of Nepali clothes.

Sherpa Women Traditional Dress:

The traditional dress of the Sherpa people is one of the distinct Nepal dresses. They are generally made of organic silk and wool. Nowadays, most Sherpa dresses are made from factory-made materials.

The outfit features long-sleeved clothes, which are called tongkok and are made of thick wool. This dress also has an alternative version with short sleeves made for warmer weather called angi. It is worn with a blouse called a raatuk.

Over the top outfit, the women wear striped aprons featuring various colors. These two aprons are called “metil” and “gewe.” They are held together by an embossed silver buckle called kyetig.

One of the things that are common between Sherpa men and women is woolen boots. The upper part of the boots is colored and features garters to tie the boots.

Sherpa Men Traditional Dress:

Like the women, Sherpa men wear robes with long sleeves stretching to the knees. The robe is called kitycow and protects from cold weather at higher elevations in the mountain regions of Nepal. Additionally, they also wear a cloth sash referred to as Kara and chhuba, which the Sherpa men tie around their waist.

The two create a pouch, or tolung, that allows man to carry their belongings with them. Similar to the boots that both women and men wear, they also wear an undershirt. It protects them from the extreme cold. The shirts for women are called wan-ju and wan-tas for men. These shirts are made from wool. Finally, the traditional Nepali dress of the Sherpa people is complete with a robe called Bakhu.

You may see these amazing sherpa dresses while trekking to the mountain regions of Nepal. You can trek to the Everest base camp, Annapurna circuit, Mount Manalsu or many other highlands to witness the fascinating lifestyle and dresses of the Sherpa people.

Tharu Traditional Dress

Among the Nepal dress, the traditional Tharu dress is a unique and distinct attire with a strong representation of their culture. The Tharu community makes up 5% of the Nepalese population. They mainly live in the terai region of Nepal mainly in districts like Chitwan.

As a result, the Tharu traditional dress has evolved to adapt to the hot environment and has defining characteristics.

Tharu Women Traditional Dress:

The climate influences the traditional Nepali dress of the Tharu women, so the fabrics are usually thin. They were a top called choli and were mostly black. Further, the women wear a dress called Uproona around the chest, and a Nahaj, a white-colored dress.

Additionally to the outfit, the women wear several ornaments. It includes Kanphul on the ear, Nathiya on the nose, Matha on the wrist, Hansuli and Kanthi on the neck, Upairi on the feet, Tadia on the elbow and Tikuli on the forehead.

Tharu Men Traditional Dress:

One of the distinct clothes of the traditional Tharu men’s dress is the dhoti or mardani they wear. It is a thin piece of cloth wrapped around the waist and running down to the knees. The type of clothing helps the Tharu people do daily chores quickly and conveniently. Unlike the traditional attire of the women, the men’s dress is relatively simple.

Nonetheless, one of the distinct features of the men’s traditional dress is the large hat they may wear. These hats are made of bamboo and dried leaves. It helps the men to protect themselves from the sun while they work in the fields.

Magar Traditional Dress

The Magar, one of the warrior tribes in Nepal’s central Himalayan regions, are renowned for their strength and bravery. The Magar community has a specific dress code, which makes them unique.

The Traditional magar dress is one of the famous Nepal dresses worn by the younger generation to reflect their tradition in cultural events. The Magars have a unique style of styling worn during special occasions and festivals.

Magar Men Traditional Dress

Chhatra: It is a traditional garment paired with another garment called Koza. The Koza usually is blue or red and has white stripes. The respective garment is worn over the shoulders. It has sleeves that reach the elbows, a high collar and an attractive belt.

Barkhu: The outfit is shorter than the Chhatra. It is worn at the waist with the help of a belt. Next, the scarf is wrapped around the neck and tied in the back. One of the unique features of the dress is the tied sleeve at the elbow, which is also folded to the men’s forearm.

Kozhi: It is a traditional garment that the men wear with Chhatra and tied around the waist. It is made of white fabric and features red and black stripes.

Magar Women Traditional Dress

Kirt – The garment is a gown which is made of red and white colored cloth. Magar women wear it during events, ceremonies, and special occasions such as musical and dance gatherings.

Koja –It is an alternative version of the Kirt. The Magar Women tie it to their waist. The garment is made of cloth that is red or white.

Nepal is a beautiful and culturally rich country that is worth visiting. It offers a unique opportunity to immerse oneself in Nepali culture and experience its traditional Nepal dress firsthand.

To make the most of your trip, choosing a reputable Nepali travel agency and Nepali trek company is the best option to enjoy a relaxing vacation. These companies offer a range of services, including guided tours and treks, that will help you explore Nepal’s natural beauty and cultural heritage in the most authentic way possible.

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