Tibetan Robes
( 2005-10-27 )

Robes are Tibetans' main traditional clothes. They are mainly made of pulu woven with wool in farming areas, and of sheepskin in more pastoral areas. The basic characteristics of Tibetan robes are: wide fronts with wide waists and buttoned on the right side; wide, long sleeves; the collar, edge of the front, cuff and the lower hem of the gown are mostly edged with fine and soft fur, pulu or colorful cloth.[if pulu is not woven wool, we should explain what it means]

The sleeves are more than 30 centimeters longer than the arm, and the lower hem stretches out about 10 centimeters over the instep, mostly edged with red or black strips orleopardskin as a form of decoration..

Tibetans take off one or both sleeves when working during the day, and tie them around their waist. A shirt with long sleeves is worn inside of the robe. When men tie their belts, they usually pull the lower hem of the robe up to their knees. When women tie their belt, they pull the robe up a little bit and make the lower hem cover their ankles. Thus, a big bag is formed in the bosom and the waist, and many odds and ends can be placed inside this convenient space.

Detailed styles are distinctive for different places and can be divided into many types. Just in terms of fur robes in pastoral areas, men's robes can be plain without a cloth surface, but the front, cuff and edge may be edged with black velveteen, corduroy or woolen cloth about 10 to 15 centimeters wide. Women's robe styles, especially decorations from fur are different in various areas. In northern Tibet, the edge of the front and the cuff are generally sewn with five to seven strips using black, red, green, and purple. Because some strips are a little bit wider, the whole surface of the fur can be completely covered by the strips.

Generally, there are five types: Robes made of pulu woolen fabrics, lambskin robes, sheepskin robes, woolen robes, and garments.

1. Robes made of pulu woolen fabrics

The pulu woolen fabrics in the areas surroundingLhasaare quite famous. Aristocrats and feudal lords in the old days usually wore these kinds of robes when participating in important activities. Poor farmers and herdsmen also wore it while at work. They are stout and durable, useful in every season and can be used as raincoats.