Traditional Dress For Women: Kira

Kira, sometimes transcribed as Kiira is the traditional dress of Bhutanese women. It is a comfortable, sophisticated dress worn especially in offices and schools as a part of regulations. It is suitable for different weather conditions, it is easy to wear and affordable for all Bhutanese women. Kira is mostly woven from strong and long lasting materials.

The ankle length wrap-style kira has been the typical garment of women in Bhutan since before the small South Asian country's unification by a Buddhist monk in the mid-1600s. A kira is constructed from three back strap loom woven panels and is classified according to its background color. This newly acquired kira is an excellent example of an early style which highlights colorful supplementary weft patterning against a white background bordered by bold multicolored stripes. The name of this north central Bhutanese style kira, kushüthara, is derived from the unique technique of weft inlay, kushü, and the Eastern Bhutanese name for wrapped dress, thara.

There are two types of kira in Bhutan, today: Half kira and full kira. Full kira is one piece wrap style dress attached with koma (traditional broche) on the shoulders. Most women prefer wearing half kira, because it is more comfortable. Kira is combined with wanju (inside blouse) and tego (outside jacket). Match of colors is very important. The half kira trend is gaining popularity at a time when Bhutan is strict about the dress code and the national dress. According to a researcher, Sonam Kinga, who wrote an article, "Changes in Wearing kira"; people living along the border areas in late eighties started the trend of wearing half gho and kira because of the hot weather. The trend was picked up in other areas because of its convenience.

Bhutan has some where the world's best hand woven textiles. Kiras are the best proofs of Bhutanese textiles' quality. An average length kira is woven in 3 panels and each panel of this quality takes around 2 months. If the material is silk, it is imported from India and the dyed back home.

Traditional Dress For Men: Gho

All Bhutanese citizens are required to observe the national dress code, known as Driglam Namzha, while in public during daylight hours. The rule is applied strictly in some places (dzongs) than others. The national dress of Bhutan is called the gho for men and kira for women. It was introduced during the 17th century by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel to give the Bhutanese a unique identity. In an effort to preserve and promote its cultural heritage, all Bhutanese are required to wear the national dress in government offices, schools and on formal occasions. The gho is a long robe hoisted to the knee and held in place with a kera, a woven cloth belt, wound tightly around the waist. This forms a large pouch above that may be used to contain particular items, traditionally a bowl and betel nut. Government senior officials wear a sword on ceremonial occasions. Additional rules of protocol apply when visiting a dzong or a temple, or when appearing before a high level official. Male commoners wear a white sash (kabney) from left shoulder to opposite hip. Local and regional elected officials, government ministers, cabinet members, and the King himself each wear their own colored kabney.