Model M Khara in a cool, comfortable cotton outfit from Shayi.

JEANS, short skirts and smart imported apparel might make you a fashion queen but you can still fit that description by wearing clothing that reflects the country’s cultural traditions.

There are many clothing options for those who prefer fashion wear that highlights traditional accents, including apparel made from Myanmar-made fabric.

Blouses, dresses, skirts and pants

Tatee Mode

There is a big range of cotton and silk wear for women and men at Tatee Mode, in the lobby at Traders Hotel.

“We initially targeted the younger generation but now we’ve changed direction and are using designs that are more elegant,” said Ko Tun Tun Zaw, a designer at Tatee Mode, which opened in 1999.

“We have designs for all ages. For example, young people like to have specific designs, the middle-aged prefer designs that are appropriate for the workplace and older customers want comfortable clothing that covers their midriff and arms,” he said.

Ko Tun Tun Zaw’s favourite style is fashion wear that is not too trendy while being unique and special for all occasions.

Tatee Mode uses cotton and silk sourced from Amarapura and Inle Lake.

Shayi Myanmar Cotton and Traditional Fashion House

The exclusive designs at this boutique have attracted considerable attention since it opened in 2005 on Nawaday Street, Dagon township.

“Cotton wear has become more popular because the designs are more interesting. When we were in university we had only Shan pants cut in a boring style and I wanted to create more innovative designs,” said Ma Sann Bawk Rar, the owner of Shayi, who designs all its products.

“We have our own factory in Amarapura and the designs differ depending to the fabric. We use cotton and we have blouses, skirts, pants, dresses and shawls.”

Blouses are priced from K5000 to K10,000 and pants, in short, medium and long sizes, are from K5000 to K10,000.

Sleeveless dresses cost from K7000 to K15,000 and skirts, which come in three sizes, range from K5000 to K15,000.

“I like natural colours, such as white, but we also have other colours: pink is a favourite at the moment,” Ma Sann Bawk Rar said.

“We prefer our clothes to be comfortable so we avoid designs with a tight fit; the tops are a bit loose and the skirts and pants are flared,” she said.

Ma Sann Bawk Rar said customers had no hesitation choosing traditionally inspired designs as long as they are innovative and modern.

Powa Cotton

This cotton wear shop at Bogyoke Aung San Market offers a variety of tops, dresses, skirts, pants and bags, and also fancy jewellery.

“Cotton blouses range from K2500 to K4500, silk tops are K7000 and cotton skirts are from K4000 to K6500. Dresses are K5500 and pants are from K4000 to K6500,” said Ma May Moe Thu, the owner of Powa Cotton, which opened in 2002.

Bags are also available and the prices are K1500 to K6000. Fancy earrings and chains made of wood and coconut shell are priced from K500 to K3000.

Bags

Yoe Yoe Lay Kachin Traditional Gift Shop

If the shoulder bags made by national groups capture your fancy, there is a huge range at Yoe Yoe Lay Kachin Traditional Gift Shop at Bogyoke Aung San Market.

The shop’s owner, Ma Wah Wah, said it has bags from more than seven national groups, including Shan, Kachin, PaO, Akha, Lahu and Naga.

Prices vary according to the size of the bag and range from K2000 for the smallest to between K7000 and K9000 for medium size and from K10,000 to K17,000 for the biggest.

The bags are usually made from cotton and decorated with sequins and spangles.

“University students really love these bags because they a big and also trendy and cool,” said Ma Wah Wah.