4 Traditional Clothing Items That Never Go Out Of Style

Culture is a beautiful, complex, ever-evolving thing. And part of culture is clothing. Cultural staples in clothing can be things that have been worn for thousands of years, or they can be modern-day twists on ag- old clothing or even hybrids between two distinct styles. They can include patterns or colours from a culture’s origins in a recent cut or the silhouette from days past with the current season’s hottest colour. Once you start looking for it, you’ll begin to see that pretty much everything we wear today has its origins in tradition. And now that many clothing stores have gone digital, it’s pretty easy to find the specific niche cultural piece you’re looking for. The following will explore four traditional clothing items that never go out of style.

Of course, if you are looking into fashion outside of your own culture, it is always a good idea to do your research and learn about when and where traditional clothing items are appropriate. There is nothing wrong with participating in and admiring someone else’s culture. There is something wrong with misrepresenting or misusing someone else’s culture. If you’re unsure, it’s always wise to ask someone for guidance or help.

As a side note, if you’re shopping online, it’s a good idea to take your measurements before selecting a size. Cultural standards for sizing can vary, so it’s always a good idea to confirm what measurements a size suits. 

Nehru Jackets

Nothing seems to outline a man’s shoulders and posture quite like a Nehru jacket. Nehru jackets evolved out of the achkan, which were knee-length jackets worn by men on the Indian subcontinent. It has a similar vibe to a Sherwani but is a little more flexible when it comes to length and, therefore, formality. Again, given the interconnectedness of everything in the digital realm, it’s quite easy to buy Indian clothing even if you’re outside of India. The Nehru jacket was quite popular in Europe and America in the 60s and 70s and continues to be part of a sleek, mod look today.

Scandinavian Sweaters

Also harkening back to the 60s exploration of cultural clothing, the Scandinavian sweater (sometimes also called Norwegian sweater) is a perfect addition to a winter wardrobe that was very popular in Europe and America in the 60s and 70s. With a folk, boho feel, Scandinavian sweaters capture all the cozy vibes you might need on a blustery winter day. The knitting patterns were popularized by Norwegians but originated in the fertile crescent. As a bonus, these sweaters are fantastic at keeping the cold at bay.

Tartan Material

Tartan patterns are check-like lines crossing over each other that were, for centuries, part of everyday Scottish attire. They were once associated with specific clans or areas of Scotland as the varying colours were the result of using local plants, roots, berries, and trees for dyes. As a fun side quest, if you have a Scottish surname, you can search it online and find the tartan that was once associated with your family. Nowadays, tartan has expanded beyond Scotland-specific dye colours due to synthetic clothing manufacturing and can be seen widely in everything from school children’s uniforms to editorial high-fashion pieces. Tartan can be included in smaller ways like on the detailing of a jacket or in bigger ways like full dresses or shirts. A tweak on tartan, known as plaid, is also commonly available.

Beret Hat

Around the world, the French style is something highly sought after. A major component of the French sense of fashion involves the minimal to no effort the look seems to have entailed (of course, if you do your research or live in France for a while, you’ll quickly see that there is a lot of effort involved in looking like you just tumbled out of bed and to work looking flawless). One of the classic elements in French style is the beret hat. Originally worn by shepherds in the Pyrenees, these caps are typically worn a little crooked and are completely unisex. Many militaries throughout the world have also adopted the beret as part of their uniform.

The above examples should open your eyes to how traditional fashion has a place in our everyday lives. Once you start looking for ways to incorporate culture into your fashion choices, you’ll see that the sky's the limit. There are so many brilliant (and practical) designs humans have developed over time. Again, always do your homework and your due diligence to make sure you’re being appropriate with the fashion choices you’re making.