Festivities are the time of the year when everyone comes together, be it family, friends, and colleagues. Festivals have a way of bringing people together. While most have a mind of their own, several countries follow their cultures, which have traditional outfits to be worn at specific festivals to respect their ancestors and origins. Attires play a vital role in the essence of the festivals celebrated, and people who strongly believe in and practice their cultures would abide by them at times as such. As advanced and evolved as they become, developed countries also have a way of holding onto their cultural and traditional outfits like no other while also modernizing them to match today’s way of living. A fusion of the past and present, if we must. While many would assume that festivals in developed countries aren’t celebrated traditionally anymore, they couldn’t be more wrong.
New Orleans, USA
Mardi Gras, when translated to French, means “fat Tuesday.” This clearly portrays the festival’s purpose, representing people eating rich and fat food before fasting for Lent. This traditional festival takes place every year in New Orleans, wherein the streets and houses are all bejeweled with colors and ornaments. Alongside the roads and houses, people adorn themselves with the best costumes and outfits, putting on their best jewelry and going over the top to look their best. It’s like a vast carnival wherein people sing, dance, laugh and just enjoy themselves with their closest friends and family. The festival also allows us to view how the city rebuilt itself brick after brick after Hurricane Katrina, emphasizing architecture and urbanism.
Scotland
From Braveheart to Strictly Come Dancing, the kilt has been utilized to symbolize all matters Scottish, anachronistically so in Mel Gibson’s ensemble as William Wallace. Nevertheless, attend any Scottish Highland Games. Moreover, you’ll notice that kilt-wearing customs are active and well, from the immaculately adorned ambitious dancers to the pipe players in ceremonious attire and, most impressively of all, the participators in the “heavy events” – for you cannot cast a caber properly unless wearing a kilt.
Mexico
On the 2nd of November, Mexicans celebrate the lives of their ancestors by commemorating The Day of the Dead. This festival has been a part of Mexican culture for over three hundred thousand years. It is believed that the dead have the power to visit their dear friends and family on this day. Mexicans decorate their homes with incense, candles, and flowers to welcome the spirit of their ancestors. Sweets, food, and music are also arranged for the living and entertain the dead. It is all a way of respecting and honoring them. The Mexicans dress up in clothes painted skeleton and skull face masks, fantasizing death and making it a living, breathing entity in their presence and parade along the streets, dancing and singing all night long. The Day of the Dead was inscribed as the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2008.
