Have you ever wondered about those colorful silk outfits you’ve seen in photos of Cambodia? The intricate patterns, the bold colors, and the timeless elegance —of Cambodian traditional clothing are truly a sight to behold. If you’re curious to learn more about the cultural heritage woven into every thread, you’ve come to the right place. This is your complete guide to Khmer traditional clothing.
In this article, you’ll discover the origins of Khmer clothing, understand the meaning behind different colors and patterns, learn how to properly wear some of the most well-known garments like the sampot and krama, and find out where you can purchase high-quality, handmade Khmer clothing to start your own collection. Cambodia’s stunning traditional outfits have been turning heads for centuries. Now it’s your turn to join in on the rich history and vibrant culture. Ready to dive in?
An Introduction to Khmer Traditional Clothing
Traditional Khmer clothing is both beautiful and functional. The styles have been shaped by Cambodia’s hot tropical climate, as well as its cultural traditions. Both men and women wear loose, lightweight clothing made of natural fibers and natural material like cotton or silk. Bright colors and intricate details showcase the skill of Khmer weavers and tailors.
The most well-known traditional garment is the sampot, a wrap-around lower garment worn by both men and women. The sampot phamoong, worn by women, is a rectangular fabric wrapped around the waist and pinned at the top to create a skirt. Men wear the sampot kben, which is tucked in and held up by a belt called a krama. The sampot comes in colorful checkered patterns or colorful floral silk brocades.
Women pair the sampot phamoong with a sleeveless silk blouse called a sbai ton. For formal occasions, they may add a silk shawl called a kroma. Jewelry such as necklaces, bracelets and anklets complete the look. Men pair the sampot kben with a loose button-down shirt.
As Cambodia modernizes, traditional clothing is mostly worn for special cultural events and ceremonies. However, the krama, a checked cotton scarf, remains popular in everyday life. The krama has many uses, such as a towel, sarong, bandage or bag. It is truly a multipurpose traditional garment that all Cambodians continue to appreciate.
In summary, traditional Khmer clothing reflects Cambodia’s cultural heritage through its loose-fitting and breathable natural fabrics, vibrant colors and patterns, and intricate details. Though rarely worn in everyday life today, the sampot, krama and other traditional garments remain an important symbol of Khmer identity. Getting to know the basic elements of traditional Khmer dress provides insight into Cambodia’s cultural roots.
Common Types of Khmer Traditional Garments
There are several common types of traditional Khmer garments you’ll come across. The most well-known are:
Sampot
The sampot is a colorful patterned skirt worn by Khmer women. It comes in two varieties:
- The sampot chang kben is a full, ankle-length skirt. It’s made of silk and decorated with floral or geometric patterns. Women wear this for special occasions like weddings or festivals.
- The sampot chang phnom is a knee-length cotton skirt. It’s more casual and worn for everyday activities. The sampot is wrapped around the waist and secured in place with a belt called a kroma.
Kroma
A kroma is a checkered scarf that serves many purposes in Khmer clothing. Women use it as a belt to hold the sampot in place. Men wear the kroma around their waist or neck. The kroma also has many practical uses, like as a towel, basket, or hammock. They come in red, blue or green checkered patterns.
Angkor shirt
The Angkor shirt is a loose-fitting silk or cotton button-down shirt. It’s worn by both men and women, and often paired with trousers or a sampot. Angkor shirts feature delicate embroidery, especially around the collar and cuffs. They are popular souvenirs for tourists visiting Cambodia.
Sarong
A sarong is a large piece of patterned fabric used by Khmer people of all genders. It has many uses, such as:
- A wrap for women to wear over a sleeveless top
- A towel for bathing
- A blanket
- A hammock or mat to sit on
Sarongs typically come in colorful floral or batik prints. They are very versatile and practical garments in Khmer culture.
The variety of traditional Khmer clothing reflects the country’s artistic heritage. These garments are still commonly worn today, especially for special cultural events and celebrations. Exploring the different types of Khmer fashion is a great way to gain insight into Cambodia’s vibrant history.
When and How Khmer Clothing Is Worn
Khmer clothing is worn during special occasions, ceremonies and celebrations. The traditional attire plays an important role in Khmer culture.
At Weddings
At a traditional Khmer wedding, the bride and groom both wear traditional clothing. The bride wears a fancy sampot, or skirt, made of silk and embroidered with color of gold and silver threads. She pairs it with a silk blouse called a chong kaben. The groom also wears a silk sampot, along with a loose button-down shirt. Guests attending the wedding will often wear silk or lace sampots as well, in colors like red, pink or purple, which are considered auspicious.
During Festivals
Major festivals like Khmer New Year, or Chol Chnam Thmey, call for traditional dress. People will wear brightly colored silk sampots, often in red or pink. Women may wear a silk chong kaben blouse, while men wear a button-down shirt. During Chol Chnam Thmey, Khmer people also like to wear scarves, sashes and other decorative accessories featuring floral or elephant prints.
At the Pagoda
When Khmer people visit a pagoda for ceremonies or prayer, they dress modestly out of respect. Women wear a lace or silk sampot that covers their legs, paired with a blouse that covers the shoulders. Headscarves are common for women. Men wear long pants or silk sampots, along with a button-down shirt. At the pagoda, the traditional dress is more conservative and less flashy. Bright red and pink are avoided, and gold embroidery is minimal.
Everyday Wear
While less common now, some older Cambodians still wear traditional clothing in their daily lives. Women may wear a cotton sampot with a loose blouse, while men wear loose cotton pants and a collarless shirt. For women, a kroma, or checkered scarf, is also popular for everyday wear. Among younger generations, traditional dress is mainly reserved now for special occasions, festivals and ceremonies. Western-style clothing is worn more commonly in daily life.
Where to Buy Authentic Khmer Clothing
Finding authentic traditional Khmer clothing can be challenging outside of Cambodia. Many major cities around the world may have shops that import and sell traditional Cambodian attire, but quality and authenticity can vary. For the best selection of genuine Khmer clothing, consider the following options:
Shop in Cambodia
The ideal way to buy authentic Khmer clothing is to purchase items directly from Cambodia. In cities like Phnom Penh, Battambang and Siem Reap, you’ll find many stores, shops and tailors selling traditional Cambodian attire made from high-quality silks and cottons. Some recommended places include:
- Artisans d’Angkor – A fair trade organization with multiple shops selling handmade silk clothing, accessories and home decor. They have high quality, traditional styles.
- Tonle Bati – A popular Phnom Penh boutique featuring contemporary and traditional Khmer fashion designs made from natural, sustainable fabrics.
- Samatoa – An ethical clothing brand reviving traditional Khmer silk weaving and natural dyeing techniques. They have shops in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap.
Of course, visiting Cambodia solely to shop for clothing may not be practical for most. But if you do travel there, be sure to save room in your luggage to bring home some authentic finds!
Buy from Online Retailers
Some Cambodia-based retailers offer online shopping and international shipping for traditional Khmer clothing. A few recommended sites include:
- Mekong Quilts – They work with local artisans to produce handmade quilts, clothing, and accessories from traditional Khmer fabrics. They ship worldwide.
- Khmer Creations – An organization supporting fair wage jobs for Cambodian women. They sell a variety of silk scarves, clothing, and other handmade goods through their online store.
- Cambodian Living Arts Boutique – Proceeds from all sales support traditional Cambodian arts and cultural preservation. They offer clothing, accessories, and home decor made by Cambodian artisans.
While buying online may be convenient, quality and sizing can vary. Be sure to check reviews and sizing charts when possible. For the most authentic experience, visiting Cambodia to shop in person can’t be beat! But these online retailers do provide an opportunity to support cultural preservation and fair wage artisans from afar.
Khmer Traditional Clothing FAQs: Your Top Questions Answered
Khmer traditional clothing, also known as sampot, refers to the traditional dress of Cambodia. If you’re new to Khmer culture, you probably have some questions about this traditional garment. Here are the answers to your top FAQs about Khmer traditional clothing:
What are the different types of sampot?
There are several varieties of the Khmer sampot:
- Sampot Chang Kben is a colorful, patterned skirt that falls just above the ankle. It is the most common type worn for special occasions and ceremonies.
- Sampot Hol is a long, plain skirt that reaches the ankles. It is usually worn for temple visits or by older women.
- Sampot Lieng is a wrap-around tube skirt secured by a belt or tie. It is worn for daily use and the most casual type of sampot.
- Sampot Samloy is a wrap-around skirt with decorative pleats in the front and back. It is worn for ceremonial occasions and requires expert wrapping and tying.
What tops do women traditionally wear with sampot?
Women pair the sampot with a matching blouse called the Sbai or Angsana blouse. The Sbai blouse is typically made of silk and embroidered, featuring puffed sleeves. The Angsana blouse has narrow sleeves and a Chinese-influenced collar.
How is sampot traditionally worn?
The sampot is worn by wrapping and tying the fabric around the waist to secure it in place. It requires some practice to master the techniques to achieve an elegant drape and fold. Some styles are quite complicated, involving many folds, tucks and wraps.
What are sampot made of?
Traditional sampot are made from handwoven silk and cotton fabrics, especially krama cloth. Krama cloth is a unique Cambodian textile made of woven strips of red and white silk or cotton. The silk sampot are more intricate, decorative and worn for special ceremonies. Cotton sampot are for daily wear.
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