Worldwide
In Western formal state ceremonies and social functions, diplomats, foreign dignitaries, and guests of honour wear Western formal dress if not wearing their own national dress.
Many cultures have formal evening and day dress, for example:
- Daura-Suruwal — worn as formal dress by men in Nepal.
- Scottish kilt — worn as formal dress by men in Scotland or of Scottish descent
- Bunad — worn as formal dress by women and men in Norway.
- Hátíðarbúningur — worn by men in Iceland to formal events such as state dinners and weddings.
- Sari — worn by women in Nepal, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
- Shalwar Qameez — worn by men and women in India, Bangladesh and Pakistan.
- Sherwani worn by men in India and Pakistan
- Dashiki — worn by men in West African countries
- Barong Tagalog — worn by men in the Philippines
- Kebaya — worn by women in Malaysia and Indonesia
- Cheongsam — a modern female variation of the Qing Dynasty silk dress, characterized by a high mandarin collar, and side open slits of varying lengths. It can be sleeveless, short, elbow or long sleeve, and has been adopted by most Chinese women as a Chinese wear, depending on materials and occasions.
- Changshan — a long male version of the qipao, which originated during the Qing Dynasty. It can be of cotton for ordinary wear, or of silk for those within aristocratic families. Beneath the changshan, the male generally wears white mandarin-collar long-sleeve shirt and a pair of dark colored long pants. Like the qipao, this changshan male gown has slits on both sides (at least knee level) as well. Worn nowadays either by Chinese men in the martial arts world, or as attire for weddings to match the qipao the bride wears.
The qipao and Changshan originated as Manchurian dresses that were forced onto the Chinese population during the Qing Dynasty's queue laws under the penalty of death. Thus, the traditional Chinese hanfu clothing were replaced by the qipao and changshan.
- Av Pak — both traditional and modern embroided blouse worn by women in Cambodia at Special occasion, traditional festival and Formal show.
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