Is Traditional Clothing Still Relevant for A Regular Basis’ Fashion?
(Introduction to College Writing Project)
Kebaya, Jarik, Kimono, Breton, Drindl, these sound obsolete, old-fashioned, like something you would only wear once in a bluemoon, those are only worn on special dates. In many parts of the world, traditional clothing is simple, easy-to-wear yet still modest and fashionable that many people make traditional wearing something they want to wear several times in a specific time. While in other parts, cultural clothing is way more complex in many aspects, like expensive pricing, more uncomfortable fabrics, complicated style and rare to find, those difficulties make people have tendencies to slowly stop conserving cultural values and having cultural identity. Wearing traditional more often can be that important for protecting culture, strenghtening identity and introducing culture to the wider world, and it is potential to have a big impact in tourism world. Although some people think that traditional clothes are not suitable and relevant to be worn on a regular basis. Is it really that influential and impactful to have traditional fashion on a regular basis?
One of the main reasons for wearing traditional clothes every day is to preserve and promote culture. In the midst of globalization, local cultural identity can be slowly lost. By wearing traditional clothing or traditional elements in our daily lives, we show pride in our own culture.
A clear example of the application of traditional elements in modern life is the use of batik or weaving motifs in school and work uniforms in Indonesia. Many public and private schools in various regions now require students to wear batik once a week, usually on Friday. This is a real step to introduce culture to the younger generation in a routine and non-rigid manner.
Additionally, countries such as Japan and South Korea also prove that the use of traditional clothing in everyday life can be a trend. In Japan, kimono and yukata are still worn by people, not only in special events but also in street fashion. In Korea, the modern version of hanbok is now popularized by young people and even used in wedding photo shoots, cultural promotions, and video content on the internet. Their diaspora also promotes traditional clothing abroad, which has a good impact on their cultural image and boosts tourism. Data from the Korea Tourism Organization (2022) shows that 34% of foreign tourists in Seoul choose to rent a hanbok during their visit.
Traditional clothing is also actually comfortable to wear. In the past, clothes such as kebaya, sarong, or woven fabric were made for daily activities, so the material is light and not hot. Moreover, nowadays many local designers make modern clothing models with a traditional touch so that they can be worn flexibly and do not seem old-fashioned.
Despite its many cultural values, not everyone agrees that traditional clothing is suitable for everyday wear. One of the main reasons is practicality. Many traditional outfits are complex or take longer to put on, such as a full kebaya or a traditional dress from a certain region. In busy daily activities, such as work or school, people prefer clothes that are easy to wear and simple.
Also, social norms also remain a barrier. In some workplaces or educational institutions, dress codes still tend towards modern or western formal styles. This makes people who wear traditional clothes feel different or less confident. A survey from the Language Development and Guidance Agency (2020) showed that 65% of respondents aged 17-35 felt that traditional clothing was only suitable for formal or celebratory occasions.
Another problem is the cost. High-quality traditional clothes such as songket, tenun ikat, or batik tulis are often expensive. Therefore, many people feel that it is a shame to wear them every day, let alone the risk of damage due to frequent wear and washing.
