40s + Thai

Flashback Summer: 1940s + Traditional Thai clothing

This week was a grand event that a team I'm a part of has been planning for for over a year: the launch of our new intercultural church!

Some of you might know this, but I'm an associate/assistant pastor at a Pentecostal intercultural church in a 95% Caucasian town.  Yes, it is an adventure!  We officially launched yesterday evening, and it was amazing!  Part of how we do church involves having church on Saturday nights and always having dinner together at the beginning.  Each week we pray for a certain country, and we all try our hand at making dishes from that country to try at the dinner.  It's always delicious, and it works well for an intercultural church.  Just TRY to name a culture that doesn't enjoy food!


Flashback Summer: Life 360 Intercultural Church Launch

Flashback Summer: Life 360 Intercultural Church Launch

Flashback Summer: 1940s + Traditional Thai clothing

The other part that was special for our launch is that we all wore clothing from different cultures.  While some wore clothing from their native culture, others of us borrowed from cultures that aren't our own.  It's a really great opportunity to learn about other cultures and the meanings behind their fashion.  I've learned how to tie bows on Korean hambok and Japanese kimono along the way!  It allows people to share their culture with others in a tangible way.


Flashback Summer: Life 360 Intercultural Church Launch

Flashback Summer: Life 360 Intercultural Church Launch

Flashback Summer: Life 360 Intercultural Church Launch

Usually I would wear a look from Africa (because that's what I have), but I have a couple new options that have made their way into my closet recently: an Indian sari, a Chinese qipao/cheongsam, and some Thai fabric my mother bought me when she was in Thailand recently.  The Indian sari blouse needs some re-sizing, so I had to skip that one. The qipao was GORGEOUS but was a bit too... bootylicious for a pastor to wear to a church launch, haha!  (I'll be saving it for a date night!)  With those options out, I decided to work with the Thai fabric my mother got me.


Flashback Summer: 1940s + Traditional Thai clothing

Flashback Summer: 1940s + Traditional Thai clothing

I wanted to create a look that was obviously inspired by traditional Thai clothing to wear to the church event.  This blue fabric is exquisite, but I don't have the skills or knowledge on how to recreate an actual Thai look, and I didn't have remotely enough fabric for all of that.  Thus, I went for an interpretation of a traditional Thai ensemble, mixed with a bit of 40s to bring the Emileigh factor!  I want it to reflect Thai aesthetics while still being wearable for me in my day-to-day life.  I don't want it to be treated as a costume I only pull out for "Thai events." I want it to be something I can appreciate in normal life, too.


Flashback Summer: 1940s + Traditional Thai clothing

Flashback Summer: 1940s + Traditional Thai clothing

While researching, I noticed three of the common elements of Thai traditional women's clothing: a long wrap skirt, gold accessories, and a blouse and/or sash-like fabric wrapped around the bodice.  I learned there are many kinds of traditional outfits, so they don't all look the same.  Each outfit can be worn by a specific people group or for a specific occasion, so there are lots of variations. However, most of them I saw in my research had these three elements.  I included these in my version.


Flashback Summer: 1940s + Traditional Thai clothing
source
Flashback Summer: 1940s + Traditional Thai clothing
source

I did, however, shorten the skirt.  While I totally love the long-skirted look of traditional ensembles, I was afraid I didn't have enough fabric to allow me to get a wrapped look and still walk.  I shortened it to a pencil skirt which will get more wear anyway.  I used a 1950s pencil skirt pattern that had a faux wrap detail on one side because I thought it mimicked the look of the Thai skirts:


Flashback Summer: 1940s + Traditional Thai clothing - Simplicity 1690

Next, I needed to do a bit of interpretation for the top. Like I said, I didn't have much fabric (just about 2 yards for all of this), so I used the scraps from the skirt to make the fabric to wrap around the bodice.  I paired it with a vintage 1940s black shirt to help the blue and gold really pop and bring the vintage aspect.

Lastly, time for gold accessories!  In my research, I learned that gold (or costume gold) is really the only way to go when it comes to traditional Thai looks. I gladly obliged and grabbed a couple gold accessories, my favorite! I had my gold snakeskin pumps to put on when the event started, but I ended up running around keeping logistics on track and decided to stick with these black flats.

Now for some more photos of a few fabulous attendees!


Flashback Summer: Life 360 Intercultural Church Launch

Flashback Summer: Life 360 Intercultural Church Launch

Flashback Summer: Life 360 Intercultural Church Launch

Flashback Summer: Life 360 Intercultural Church Launch

Flashback Summer: Life 360 Intercultural Church Launch

Flashback Summer: Life 360 Intercultural Church Launch

Flashback Summer: 1940s + Traditional Thai Clothing

What do you think of traditional Thai fashion?  Do you have more information about it you can share with us?

Do you think this outfit pays homage to Thai culture and aesthetics, or has it crossed the line of appropriation? 
(Yep, I'm throwin' it out there. Feel free to answer honestly, especially if you happen to be Thai!)


More sources to learn about traditional women's Thai clothing: 
Something Very Thai - blog post about different traditional Thai ensembles
Thai clothing store
Traditional Thai clothing
Thailand Clothing Meaning

18 comments

  1. Your new church adventure sounds very exciting. I really love the outfit.I am assuming that the pencil skirt can be worn separately. I don't think this is appropriation at all. You've used your inspiration well, and given it your own twist. All fashion, after all is about borrowing. And you aren't doing it in a way that mocks or stereotypes, so this is right to go.

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    1. Yep, it's a pencil skirt separate from the sash. I thought it would be a lot more wearable for me in everyday life instead of a maxi skirt length.

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  2. How lovely :) You all look great! What a good idea for a church, sounds like you are all having a good time and learning/sharing a lot.

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  3. Absolutely beautiful - and incredibly elegant - Thai inspired outfit. Thank you for sharing this culturally rich post with us.

    ♥ Jessica

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  4. How fun! At my old church, we did a pot luck lunch after service every Sunday and it was awesome! I got to know so many people that way and also eat tasty foods. :)

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    1. I believe strongly in the power of delicious food to bring people together, haha!

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  5. So pretty! I love those thai skirts and outfits. It's so pretty! :) I've been to thailand a few times, and absolutely adored it.
    x Angel // missangellane.blogspot.com

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  6. I think that you've done a wonderful job picking up elements of traditional dress without letting the look become a costume. This outfit manages to be both perfectly you, with the 40s influence, while paying respectful tribute to Thai culture.

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    1. Well good, I'm glad you see it that way. That's totally my intent!

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  7. That is so, so cool! I didn't know about your church before, now I really want to read more from you on how you incorporate cross-cultural inclusiveness in your services and activities. I love this!

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    1. Yeah, I haven't talked about it much because it doesn't quite fit in with the rest of the blog themes, but feel free to like Life360 Intercultural (my church) on FB if you want to see some of the things we do!
      You can find it here: https://www.facebook.com/life360intercultural?fref=ts

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  8. Love the outfit! But I soooo want to do this at our church. As I mentioned before we are very rural so not many cultural differences this far out in the boonies. But that doesn't mean that we can't bring different cultures to us. We do potluck once a month and since I'm on the committee that organizies it you've given me an awesome idea to bring to the table.

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    1. Haha, I totally understand! Like I said, our "big-city metro area" is about 95% white (or around there), so sometimes it's still tricky. But food is an amazing way to learn about other cultures! Especially if you know someone in your community that may have a heritage of or experience in a different culture, it can be a great way to collaborate with other churches, organizations, or people, too. People love to share about their cultures!

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  9. Your ensemble looks like the perfect mix of Thai and 1940s. Love it!

    Brigid
    the Middle Sister and Singer

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  10. That outfit is how I would imagine a 1940's Thai outfit would look like. Though It would be cool to see some historical information about thai fashion over the years. It seems hard to find any information about it, and it is tough because it seems that most information that comes up is the rise of western fashion in Thailand. Which is kind-of cool, but doesn't give an accurate depiction.

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  11. I love this look. It has both that 40s vibe, as well as the cultural aspect. Plus the color is phenomenal.

    xoxo
    -Janey

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  12. Unlike most Australians, I've never been to Thailand, but I'll weigh in anyway and say that I think you've done a great job of coming traditional Thai elements with your own aesthetic. That fabric is so beautiful - I adore the vibrant colour - that it would have been a shame to make it into something you wouldn't really wear.

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  13. your asian inspired 40s dress turned out so wonderfully! .... Looks like you had an great event!

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