Bhutan National Dress

In Bhutan’s national dress ladies wear Kira and Gents wear Gho, which one of the most distinctive and visible aspects of the country. For Bhutanese it is compulsory to wear national dress in schools, government offices and on formal occasions. 

Gho

The men wear a gho, a long robe similar to the Tibetan chuba. The Bhutanese hoist the gho to knee length and hold it in place with a woven cloth belt called a kera. The kera is wound tightly around the waist, and the large pouch formed above it traditionally used to carry a bowl, money and the makings of a doma.

According to tradition, men should carry a small knife at the waist. Traditional footwear is knee-high, embroidered leather boots, but these are now worn only at festivals. Most Bhutanese men wear leather shoes, trainers, or trekking boots.

Ghos come in a wide variety of patterns, though often they have plaid or striped designs reminiscent of Scottish tartans. Flowered patterns are taboo, and solid reds and yellows are avoided because these are the colours worn by monks; otherwise patterns have no special significance. Usually a pair of shorts is worn underneath. In winter it is correct to wear thermal underwear. Formality in Thimphu dictates that legs may not be covered until winter has arrived, which is defined as the time that the monks move to Punakha.

Kira

Women wear a long floor length dress called a kira. This is a rectangular piece of brightly coloured cloth that wraps around the body over a Tibetan- style silk blouse called a wonju. The kira is fastened at the shoulders with elaborate silver hooks called koma and at the waist with a cloth belt called a kera. Over the top is worn a short, open jacket-like garment called a toego. Women often wear large amounts of jewelry.

The kira may be made from cotton or silk and may have a pattern on one or both sides. For everyday wear, women wear a kira with an embellished pattern woven into it. The most expensive kira are kushutara (brocade dresses), which are made of hand-spun, hand-woven Bhutanese cotton thread.