Two Tibetan countrywomen in attires

Formerly, the Tibetan people wore different kinds of clothes according to their occupations. Whatever the style, the outfits were generally bright-colored and included a hat, a robe, and a pair of shoes. The most gorgeous and expensive clothes and ornaments were worn by nobles and officials or by people participating in religious rituals.      

A Tibetan man in attire

Tibetan garments still keep some of the original styles. Most costumes are made of silk, sheep's skin, wool and cotton. Both men and women wear long-sleeved silk or cloth jackets topped with loose gowns. Men wear trousers and women wear skirts. All men and women wear woolen or leather boots. Both genders keep long hair and like to wear ornaments. Men usually wear a braid coiled on top of the head. Women, when coming of age, begin to plait their hair into two braids or many tiny ones adorned with ornaments.