I first noticed that it feels like a step back in time in Myanmar ( Burma ). The country has seen a heavy influx of tourists since the 2010 release of political prisoner Aung San Suu Kyi but still heavily retains its local culture . The temperature was expected to be around 40 degrees and up , but the people were quite conservatively dressed .
Everyone wears a longyi – it ’ s essentially a simple long piece of cotton cloth worn wrapped around your waist like a wraparound skirt . It ’ s worn tight and to the knee . Even in formal settings , the men show up wearing a crisply ironed shirt tucked into a longyi .
You must buy an ikat print . While I was there I travelled to see a few silk and cotton weaving workplaces . Old ladies in wooden houses on the water create beautiful ikat designs and prints representing local cultural patterns .
Avoid the haggling and inflated prices for a longyi at tourist traps and head over to Bogyoke Market in Yangon . Buying one would set you back between $ 5 and $ 10 US dollars .
The worst thing you could do is to not dress appropriately when entering a temple or pagoda . Respect the locals and make sure your knees and shoulders are covered .
STYLE EDIT
Paris , New York .. Myanmar ? Myanmar held its first Fashion Week in 2012 in Yangon , a sign of the country ’ s embrace of fashion and design .
On trend | Longyis in vibrant colours and with floral motifs .
Outside influences | With greater internet access pop culture is on the rise and the younger generation are adopting the styles of their Korean and Japanese peers .