An American cowboy or cowgirl hat is easy to recognize and quick to put on and you can buy one cheaply from fancy dress shops online. You wear a cowgirl hat in Texas or to a fancy dress party or when talking about the USA. Not for New York.
You can buy national dress for many countries to wear at a fancy dress party, or New Year's Even, or to the Ambassador's cocktail party, but what is American national dress? Surely there isn't such a thing?
People from other countries often cannot recognize their own nationals, until they see each other amongst others who look totally different. I am a blue-eyed blonde.In the Sixties, in London, blue eyed blondes were two a penny, so nothing remarkable.
Australia and New Zealand
In Australia, time keeping and clothing is more casual. After work you are off to the beach or the barbie (barbecue).
In Singapore, a New Zealand friend was wearing jeans to go out to dinner at a restaurant on a Saturday night. I suggested, "You might like to change for dinner."
He looked puzzled and replied, "I did change for dinner."
I asked, "What were you wearing before, when you were cleaning your bike?"
He answered, "Shorts.".
How To Identify The British - By The British
A Union Jack, you might think is a dead give away. But for years Americans were proud to wear the American flag on tee-shirts or any item of clothing. But the more reserved Brits left the London and UK tee-shirts to tourists.
Tartans are like American flags. Worn proudly by the Scots.
When I went Europe on fly-drive holidays with my parents, we would look for British cars, the same model as ours, with British number plates, and my father who was driving would toot and they would wave and we would wave back.
I remember walking around the back streets of Marbella in Spain, hearing Spanish people with Spanish voices, and British people speaking English. I overheard my father, who was an optician, mutter to my mother, 'They're English!" I looked at the couple who were silently window-shopping.
Afterwards I asked my father, "Did you hear them speak?"
He answered, 'No. They were wearing National Health spectacles."
French View of The British
A French woman told me that she could always identify the British by their style of dress. The British wore separates. the French went for a co-ordinated look. They always had matching accessories. the poorest person would have a cheap black belt, a cheap black bag and a cheap black pair of shoes. Never a striped shirt with a polka dog bag. Nor a black belt, red gloves, blue socks and brown shoes.
When I taught in Singapore, the first week I tried to dress professionally. In London school pupils wore a school uniform. You did not want them to feel that it was better to wear noticeable clothes and I wore a black suit with a different white blouse every day. The head teacher called me in. the pupils had complained. Black was only worn for funerals (in some communities white for funerals). The pupils wanted me to wear bright jolly colours, different every day, such as red on Monday, orange on Tuesday, blue on Wednesday, green on Thursday, yellow on Friday.
You are not allowed to use the Singapore flag in ways which would disrespect it.
Flag of China
China
The Chinese dress is the cheongsam. It is ankle length. The side slit looks subtly suggestive and enables the legs to move freely so that the wearer can walk.
USA
In America, two things made me stand out. the first was my accent. British English. the second thing was my clothes. In Texas everybody seemed to be wearing cowboy boots, cowboy shirts, with or cowboy hats, hats with big brims.
American and British styles
In the swimming pool, American women wore one piece costumes. I had a bikini.
In Britain the fashions kept changing. You could date the decade of the wearer by the style. You could date people by their names.
In America I saw men wearing Bermuda shorts, down to the knee. And Hawaian shirts, short sleeved, covered in flowers.
Flag of India
Indian
A saree is easy to wear. Once size fits all. But there are two saree lengths, depending on how you war it.
As an alternativer there's a Punjabi outfit consisting of a tunic, leggings or trousers to match, and a long scarf. Look for the word shalmar kameez and kurta.
The trousers are in various styles.
When buying costumes, check the colours. White can be considered the colour of mourning in Asia. In Europe such as in a traditional Greek family, it can be the colour worn by widows..
In Asia in some cultures, such as Chinese, the colour red is lucky or auspicious and might be worn by the bride. The Japanese and Chinese might wear two outfits, a traditional one for a traditional wedding ceremony, then a Western one for the reception and seated dinner, perhaps a third one more suitable for dancing., and/or a going away outfit.
Flag of Japan
Japan
I won a scholarship to go on a trip to Japan and stayed on after the first group of the summer returned to the UK. I recall sitting on the bullet train and everybody kept staring at me. I was worried. What was wrong with me? Did I have dirty face? Had my eyeshade run? When I looked in the mirror, I got a shock. I could see why they were staring. I was totally different toe everybody else. My hair was different. they all had black hair. My eyes were different. They all had dark eyes.
My hair style was different. They had short hair. I had a pony tail.
The women were flat-chested and wore high-necked blouses or dresses with long skirts. I wore a v-neck which showed my cleavage. My skirt was above the knee.
Worst of all, My dress had a contrasting bust piece, like a horizontal figure 8. It was unremarkable in London. In Japan it looked like I was either in a pornography film or a trapeze artists in a circus.
Japanese ladies on formal occasions wear a kimono.
Japanese kimono
I eventually acquired a kimono. However, it needed an obi (a wide belt). I also needed, the right shoes, wooden clogs or toe-post shoes, and hair up in a bun with a bamboo skewer though it, to make the kimono look right on me. To complete the look I need black hair, dyed, or a wig.
Something would still be missing. I would need a serene expression. Japanese ladies do not grin. Not visibly. When they smile, they cover their mouths out of politeness. Covering the mouth also hide their teeth, especially if they have gold teeth.
Yukata
if you need a warp around dressing gown with wide sleeves, for example to go over other clothes or because the tops of your arms are big, or you just like to be able to stretch, a cheaper cotton yukata as a house coat is just the thing for you.
I was, however, very happy with a yukata, or dressing gown with wide sleeves. I had a short version in synthetic which for years I took as a quick cover up in hotel rooms.
However, travelling to Japan gave me a penchant for kimono sleeves and wrap around dresses without buttons.
Thai Silk
Thailand is famous for Thai silk, nowadays often synthetic but beautiful and often needs little or no ironing but stays crease free. With black or gold thread. Motifs include elephants.
Angela in traditional Vietnam dress.
Vietnam
The traditional dress for ladies is the Aodai in white. You can see it on postcards and paintings and as a decorative motif on handbags and many decorative objects.
I bought a similar modern version in black and red. The darker colour is more practical and importantly makes me look slim.
Useful Websites
Tartans
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Tartans
Jewish tartan
https://www.tartanregister.gov.uk/tartanDetails?ref=5637
Sales now on. Great prices.
https://www.diyaonline.com/outlet/women.html?product_list_order=low_to_high&p=3
About the Author
Angela Lansbury is a travel writer and photographer, author and speaker.
Please see my other blogs and share links with your friends
travelwithangelalansbury.blogspot.com
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