Thai Ethnic's Clothing: Style and Construction Technique of Blue Hmong, Karen, Yao and Black Lahu Tribals

Abstract

     The objective of this research was to study the styles and construction technique of tribal clothing that still sewn by hand. The sample groups were Blue Hmong, Karen, Yao and Black Lahu tribals at Hilltribe Welfare and Development Center in Tak Province. The data were collected by interviewing and observing the construction technique and analyzed by using qualitative analysis. The findings showed that most of the tribals wear the original style clothes except Blue Hmong who wear modern style clothing. Clothes of most woman's blouses are jewel necklines, wear Pah-Sin and wide crotch pants. Man shirts of most ethnic groups are jewel necklines, except Karen is V-neckline. Most of the pants are loose and have wide crotch plants. All ethnic groups construct their clothing without any patterns. Most parts are in quadrilateral shape and straight armholes. Folded parts are used as shoulder line. Only small pieces of material are left after the constuction. Most of the clothes are sewn with the application of whipstitch and flat-fell seams.