Longyi

   The distinctive lower garment worn by Burmese, which resembles the wraparound Malay sarong. Male longyis, known as pasoe, are usually subdued in color, often with a checked pattern (such as the Kachin-style longyi, which became associated with political activism during 1988), and the male wearer traditionally ties it in front. Women's longyis, known as thamein (or htamein), are more colorful, often skillfully woven (hand-woven longyis from Arakan [Rakhine] and Inle Lake are especially prized), and are tied at the side. Although sarong-type garments have been traditionally used through Southeast and South Asia, Burma is one of the very few countries where the majority of the people continue to wear them in preference to Western-style skirts or trousers; in fact, the term "men in trousers" is synonymous with the Tatmadaw.

   Upper garments for Burmese men include the traditional jacket, the tai bon, which is collarless and usually reddish-brown or tan in color. For everyday wear, a Western-style shirt or T-shirt often suffices. The traditional women's blouse, the ingyi, is usually plain, light-colored, and with long sleeves; Western-style blouses and T-shirts are also popular. For formal occasions, men often wear the gaung baung, a turbanlike head covering.

   Despite the country's traditional conservatism in dress, in part a consequence of its isolation from the outside world, Western clothes have become steadily more popular among the younger generation since 1988, especially in large cities like Rangoon (Yangon) and Mandalay. Models, movie stars, and rock groups are often the vanguard in this trend. The popularity of Western-style dress, although it is usually more modest than that found in neighboring countries, dismays the older generation. In mid-2004, university authorities established student dress codes, which mandate that students wear traditional longyi on campuses.