Anatomy of Hmong Clothes

As I was posting up Hmong inspired clothes and trying to describe each piece, I realized that I have not talked about the anatomy of a Hmong outfit yet.

Here, I am wearing a Hmong Chinese outfit designed by my sister-in-law's family.  There is so much that I love about this outfit.

Anatomy of a Hmong Outfit (in order of how it goes on):

1.  Shirt (it can be worn as a jacket with American clothes.

2.  Skirt (Hand pleated).

3.  Shay (apron like piece in front).

4.  Lahng (Belt piece).

5.  Doun (Leg wrappers - traditionally, the doun covers from the ankle to under the knees.  With the newer styles, some are still long, but many are short like this one.)

6.  Hat (This hat comes with the outfit).

Here are some more pictures of the same outfit.  Many of the appliques (pa dau) on Hmong clothes are hand created.  These were machined embroidered in China.  Other than that, everything is put together by hand.  As noted above, the skirt is hand-pleated, with pleats of 1/2 inch wide.  As you will see in some of the photos below, the skirt have a lot of materials in it.  This first picture here is shown with a traditional Hmong Chinese, also known as Maio, hat.

Here are more views.  Note how much materials there are in the skirt.

Miss Hmong Thailand

This outfit is from the Hmong people living in Thailand.  The most obvious distingushing features are the stars inside circles appliques on her shoulders.  The skirt and shay (apron) is reminisce of Hmong Lao.  The necklace piece looks like that of Hmong Chinese.

Toughen Up the Little Lace Skirt (Dress)

I have two guilty pleasures when it comes to clothes.  Lace and Leather.  If I see something I like in either lace or leather, I feel like I must have it.  Although I know very well that it is only a want, to me, it feels like a need.

So, if I am going to buy so many, I have to learn how to make them work for more than one type of functions.  Here, I tried to make it more casual.  In the first picture, I am wearing it with a black anorak jacket.  And then I pair it up with on an olive cargo shirt and some boots.  This is probably something I would wear if I was meeting up with friends for a girls' night out.

1.  BCBG Lace Dress
2.  Black Michael Kors Jacket
3.  BORN Black Leather Boots
4.  Claire Military Inspired Necklace
5.  Claire Military Inspired Earrings

I wanted the outfit to be a little fun, so I added some heavy duty jewelry.  It all seems a bit much to me, but I think that I would definitely enjoy wearing this if I am just hanging out with friends.

1.  BCBG Lace Dress
2.  Sear's Cargo Shirt (from the men's department)
3.  BORN Black Leather Boots
4.  Claire Military Inspired Necklace
5.  Claire Military Inspired Earrings

All Black Outfits

For this posts, I would like to explore all black outfits.  However, here are two sites I found that talks about the little black dress, which is definitely a staple in any woman's wardrobe, but is not always so easy to find.

http://styleinvention.blogspot.com/2010/09/reinveting-that-little-black-dress.html

http://suite101.com/article/how-to-wear-the-little-black-dress-a40690

Lace and the Office

Lace and the office, though, can be tricky. I like to avoid lace trim on camisoles, worrying that they can look too much like lingerie that shouldn’t be seen, and black lace blouses often have too much of a boudoir look for the office.  To me, lace is only appropriate for the office if it’s a) clearly meant to be seen, and b) does not call to mind bedroom, lingerie, or boudoir.  For example, I think a regular fabric that had a lace print on it would be fine, in most cases, for a blouse, skirt, or even blazer.  I think white lace worked into the hem of a skirt, or even as an entire blouse, might be appropriate.  But black lace overlaid on a tan fabric seems to suggest skin beneath it.  I’d avoid for the office.

For example, I think that this outfit would work for the office if you don't wear the fur collar and the leather gloves.