It is impossible for me to think about Rome without thinking about togas, or envisage a Greek without seeing a hoplite and understanding that whilst these clothes are so redolent of the ‘ancient’ cultures, they are there because these countries were warm countries. So the classic sheepskins of the Mongols or the heavy cloaks of the Cossacks are indicative of a cold climate as well as of their culture.
All over the world there are clothes that are considered ‘traditional’ and though much is not worn now unless there is a celebration, these clothes are in the psyches of the population. Designed from the materials that were easily available and for the climate they have also become one of the engines of the culture itself. When we dress in these clothes we associate ourselves with a state of mind about our heritage and how we are aligned to it. In much the same way as we who are not part of the tradition instantly recognise the costume.
The colours are redolent, the lightness of heaviness of the materials, the special bits where the knife would have gone or the belt would have been showing this or that allegiance, the colours indicating position. From a Sikhs going to war to a Muslim praying the clothes tell us everything.
Clothing has deep seated meaning even when we just throw something on for the day.