Angels International College

Academic Year 2018-2019

“Different Cultures and their dress codes”
Name: _____________________ PYP III: ________________ Date: _________________
Culture is the Centre of a society and without culture no society can even exist. It is the main difference
between human beings and animals. It is a heritage transmitted from one generation to another. It includes all
the ways and behaviors is social life. Man is born in the environment of culture, in which he seeks his way of
behaving and acting in a given society.

Features & Characteristics of Culture

Some of the important characteristics of culture are mentioned below.
1. Culture is learned
Culture is not inherited but it is learnt socially by man in a society. It is acquired/ gained by man from the
association of others, e.g. drinking, eating, dressing, walking, behaving and reading.
2. Culture is social
It is not an individual process but it is the product of society. It develops in the society through social
interaction. It is shared by the man of society. No man can acquire it without the association (link) of others. It
helps to develop qualities of human beings in a social environment.
3. Culture is shared
Culture is also shared. It is nothing that an individual can passes but shared by common people for example,
customs, traditions, values, beliefs are all shared by man in a social situation.
4. Culture is transmitted
Culture is capable of transmitted from one generation to the next. Parent’s cultural traits to their children and in
return they pass to their children and son on. It is not transmitted through genes but through language. Language
is means to communication which passes cultural traits from one generation to another.
Dress code of Pakistan:
The salwar kameez is the national dress of Pakistan and is worn by men and women in all five provinces
Punjab, Sindh, Baluchistan, Khyber Pakhtun khwa And Gilgit Baltistan in the country and in Azad Kashmir.
Salwar refers to loose trousers and kameez refers to shirts.
Islamic Clothing:
It is essential to respect traditional dress codes when in countries such as Pakistan or Iran. Long loose fitting
clothes and a scarf for one’s head is always a good idea if women want to avoid aggressive behavior from locals
or unwanted attention from men. Saudi Arabia and Middle East countries are among the strictest in the world
and some countries like Iran and Iraq use special police to enforce Islamic dress codes. Even non-Muslim
women are required to wear scarves that cover their heads, and long skirts and dresses that cover them from
head to toe. Hijabs are required. This will also show respect for their culture.
Different cultures having different dress codes:
Indian Dress code:
In India, women's clothing varies widely and is closely associated with the local culture, religion and climate.
Traditional Indian clothing for women in the north and east are saris worn with choli tops; a long skirt called
a lehenga worn with choli and a dupatta scarf to create an ensemble called a gagra choli; or salwar kameez suits,
while many south Indian women traditionally wear sari. Saris made out of silk are considered the most
elegant. Mumbai, formerly known as Bombay, is one of India's fashion capitals. In many rural parts of India,
traditional clothing is worn. Women wear a sari, a long sheet of colourful cloth, draped over a simple or fancy
blouse. Bindi is a part of women's make-up. Indo-western clothing is the fusion
of Western and Subcontinental fashion. Other clothing includes the churidar, gamucha, kurti and kurta,
and sherwani.
The traditional style of clothing in India varies with male or female. This is still followed in the rural areas,
though is changing in the urban areas. Girls before puberty wear a long skirt (called lahenga) and a short blouse,
called a choli, above it.
For men, traditional clothes are
the Achkan/Sherwani, Bandhgala, Lungi, Kurta, Angarkha, Jama and Dhoti or Pajama. Additionally, recently
pants and shirts have been accepted as traditional Indian dress by the Government of India.
Dhoti is the national dress of India. A dhoti is from four to six feet long white or colour strip of cotton. This
traditional attire is mainly worn by men in villages. It is held in place by a style of wrapping and sometimes
with the help of a belt, ornamental and embroidered or a flat and simple one, around the waist.
Dress Code in China
China has different dress codes from other countries. Visitors should better follow some dressing rules to wear
suitably in certain occasions. As we know, the westerners are particular about clothes wearing. They wear
different clothes on different occasions. These occasions can be specified and include wedding, party, church,
holiday, business, office and recreation and so on.
However, still some people hope to be special. For instance, when they are asked to wear black tie, they wear a
pair of slippers; when they are invited to barbeque in the open air, they wear a swallow-tailed coat.
During the traditional festivals like the Chinese New Year, Chinese like dressing them up to join the banquet.
Mid-aged woman like to wear cheong-sam or skirt; man usually wear a suit. Indecent clothes can make your
dignity lost
Kilts, Scotland
The kilt has been used to represent all things Scottish. Visit any Scottish Highland Games, and you’ll see that
kilt-wearing traditions are alive and well, from the perfectly dressed competitive dancers to the pipe players in
formal attire and, most impressively of all, the participants in the "heavy events" seen wearing a kilt.
Flamenco dresses, Spain
The ultimate flamenco dress is the bata de cola, the long-tailed version worn for the style of dance of the same
name, a beautiful dance where the dancer controls the tail so that it can be see if it has a life of its own.
Sardinian traditional dress, Italy
Closer to North Africa than mainland Italy, Sardinia’s mixed history is evident in its traditional dress, elements
of which have strong Spanish and Moorish influences. Though each village has its own style, there are common
features – a veil, bonnet or shawl, long pleated skirts and richly embroidered blouses.
Dress code of United States
For men
Most American companies expect their employees to maintain a dress code.
If you are on a business visit (a meeting or finalizing a deal), a suit is the most appropriate attire. A light-
colored collared shirt, a matching necktie, and formal leather shoes look smart. Dark-colored suits look
presentable and are the norm at most conferences.
Information Technology companies have a very casual dress code. Jeans, T-shirts, trousers, khakis, and cotton
shirts are acceptable even on weekdays. In other industries, Friday is a day to dress down. Socks should be worn
at all the times in the workplace.
Though your clothes need not be expensive or fashionably cut, they must be clean and well ironed. Neatness is
very important. Take care of your hair, teeth and personal hygiene.
For women
Women are also expected to maintain a dress code. If the dress code is casual, then you have a wide choice. In
IT companies, women wear jeans, casual pants, shirts, T-shirts, blouses, skirts, trousers, dresses, shorts, sweater
sets, and blazers. Try not to wear traditional Indian wear like saris or salwar suits. You will feel out of place.
However, tops can be worn with jeans. You can complete the look with a complimenting bag and jewelry.
In some industries, it is a must to wear closed toe and closed heel shoes. Some business places require women
to wear business suits, jackets or trousers. Business suits can be worn with a matching or contrasting blouse.

 Answer the following questions:

1: How do we define dress codes?

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2: Differentiate between formal and informal wear?

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3: Why do we need to respect other cultures?

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 Compare dress codes of any two cultures:

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