Nowadays, most people in Asia wear what is recognized as Western clothes, but traditional Asian costumes are worn for festivals, weddings, and religious rites. In some countries, similar costumes are worn by both sexes, and those costumes haven’t changed very much in centuries.

Japan

• The kimono is based on a Chinese prototype that had been worn since the 3rd century BC. The garment was square-cut and so were the wide sleeves. By the 8th century, the formal court costume was established based on the costume of the Chinese T’ang Dynasty, but the Japanese adapted the garment to their own purposes. The kimono can be extremely elaborate and expensive, with many layers. It’s worn mostly for ceremonial events like coronations or weddings.

China

• China is a huge and very old country, but its basic garment hasn’t changed dramatically over the centuries. Clothing is fairly similar for both sexes and all classes. An emperor’s costume might differ from a peasant’s costume only in its embellishment and the quality of the fabric and the cut. Most Chinese garments are closed because of the sometimes harsh climate and in the winter the clothes can be padded. The chief garment is the tunic, or san, worn over trousers, or koo. This didn’t change much even in the modern era.

India and Vietnam

• 
  

  India’s modern sari is a piece of material 6 yards long and 45 inches wide, placed over an ankle-length petticoat and draped. It can be patterned or plain and, for more formal occasions, gorgeously embroidered with gold and silver thread. It’s worn with a fitted bodice called a choli, which can also be very elaborately embroidered. Vietnamese traditionally wear the Ao ba ba, or silk pajamas. The women’s ao dai is a long slender dress with long sleeves and a standup collar. It is so popular that it’s worn as a uniform by school girls, flight attendants, hotel staff and the like.

Cambodia

• The sampot, also known as the sarong, is the national dress of Cambodia and is similar to dresses worn in Laos and Thailand. The krama, a checkered scarf, has been worn since the first century. It’s a specifically Cambodian garment and isn’t worn by their Vietnamese, Laotian or Thai neighbors. During the reign of the Khmer Rouge, Cambodians were forbidden to wear bright colors, and the “black pajama” was worn.

South and Central Asia

• The Shalwar kameeze is worn by both men and women in South and Central Asia. It’s very much associated with Pakistan, where it’s the national dress. The Shalwar is a pajama-like pant, and the kameez is a long shirt that falls to the middle of the thigh, and slit below the waist line. Women also wear the shalwar kameez with a dupatta, or scarf, which is wrapped around the shoulders and draped over the chest.