Can You Name These Clothing Items From Around the World?

BEAUTY & FASHION

531 PLAYS

By: Beth Hendricks

7 Min Quiz

Image: Jung Getty/Moment/GettyImages

About This Quiz

Fashion has long separated and defined one culture from another, just as languages, dialects, foods, flags and customs have.

In the United States alone, consider the various styles that differ from region to region and period in history. Newsboys in New York City popularized knickerbockers, while further south in Texas, the 10-gallon hat became as synonymous with cowboys as horses did. Move outside the U.S.'s melting pot, and you'll find fashion trends and traditional dress that change every couple hundred miles. Berets that became mainstream in France were largely ignored in Germany in favor of lederhosen and dirndl. Sleek kimonos were the dress of choice in Japan while other Asian countries preferred plainer, collarless tunics.

Even as casual observers, we have come to associate certain styles and fashions with certain cultures. Now we want to know just as closely you've been paying attention to fashion throughout the years ... and across the world! In this quiz, you'll find some common (and some lesser-known) clothing items from around the world. Don your fashionable thinking cap and see if you can pair these pants, ponchos and party dresses (and probably a few things that don't start with P!) with their particular place on the globe.

Travel to Japan and you'll see this traditional robe that may be worn by men or women. What is it?

The word "kimono" translates in English to "the thing worn on the shoulders." Though they are traditionally associated with women's dress, men sometimes wear the gender-neutral garment as well. The pattern on a kimono often has symbolism as well, such as longevity or good fortune.

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Which of these clothing items is known as the "National Dress of Scotland?"

Kilts came to popularity in the 16th century, when they would cover the wearer from the neck to below the knee. Later, kilt wearers turned to just the part that resembles a skirt. Today, it is worn mostly for formal events or ceremonies.

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Now this is a dress with flare! Which of these pieces is most commonly known to be worn by dancers in Spain?

The flamenco dress, or traje de flamenca as it is known in Spain, is a ruffly dress designed to impress when the dancers wearing them are performing. The most complex of the flamenco dresses is known as a bata de cola, which has a long train that can be guided by the dancer.

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Which of these clothing items is a single length of fabric, up to 9 yards in length?

The traditional attire worn by women throughout India, the sari is both simple and complex at the same time. It's simple because it's a single piece of fabric, but complex because it can be styled in so many different ways.

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Shorts with suspenders doesn't sound like much of a fashion statement unless you live in Germany. What do they call this attire?

Lederhosen can best be described as short pants, usually hitting at the knee, accompanied by a type of suspender system that goes over the shoulders. This garment was typically worn by workers who found them simpler to keep clean.

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This garment constitutes a full three-piece wardrobe. What is this West African apparel called?

The agbada is often used to describe just a robe-length garment worn by men, although it can contain up to three full pieces of clothing including a pair of trousers that taper toward the ankle, a long-sleeved shirt and the robe worn over both.

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Lace for days! Which of these customary headdresses in France have separate designs for single, married and widowed ladies?

The coiffe, once a staple of wardrobes in the Brittany area of France, is now mostly worn for formal occasions. They are ornate lace headpieces in different designs for a woman's varying stages of life but can be upward of 15 to 16 inches high on top of the head.

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Julius Caesar probably wore one of these. Which of these was a staple in ancient Roman closets?

You've seen the pictures: Great orators of ancient Rome, addressing a crowd, wearing what looks like a bedsheet wrapped around and around them. This article of clothing was actually known as a toga, made of wool, and with various designs for different class systems.

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These boots were made for walkin' ... and out of reindeer skin. What is the name of these shoes popular in Arctic circles?

Today, a modern company has coined the brand name, Mukluks, but the original "mukluk" was a boot fashioned from the skin of a seal or reindeer. Mukluks are a favorite in Arctic areas to protect feet from the cold.

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This distinctive red-and-white headdress goes by different names, depending on where you are in the Middle East. What is it called in Saudia Arabia?

The ghutrah, as it is known in Saudi Arabia, also goes by "shemagh" and "keffiyeh" throughout the Middle East. It is traditionally red and white and worn by men throughout the region, accompanied by a black sash.

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The cartoon mouse Speedy Gonzales from "Looney Tunes" was known to wear which of these?

The sombrero is as synonymous with Mexico as it is with the world's fastest cartoon mouse. This wide-brimmed headpiece is designed to help the wearer block the sun's rays in Mexico's steamy climate.

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This style of shoe, known popularly as a clog, is called by what name in its native Netherlands?

One shoe makes a klomp, but a pair are a klompen in their native Netherlands. Their name may be attributed to the sound they make when worn, which they still are daily in their European homeland.

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This headscarf is an essential piece of a Muslim woman's wardrobe, covering her head and her hair. What is it called?

Women of the Muslim faith wear a hijab as a means of covering their heads, a literal interpretation of what the word "hijab" means. This is sometimes confused with a burka, which also conceals the face.

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Popular in Africa, which of these clothing items features bright colors in a pullover tunic-style top?

The dashiki has been a favorite of African countries, particularly Nigeria, for years. It was originally created as a brightly-colored pullover tunic for men to wear to work while keeping the heat at bay.

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You may have seen women wearing this dress at an Oktoberfest event. What is it called in German?

A dirndl is a traditional dress worn by women in Germany and Austria that features a knee-length design and a typically cinched waist. This is the female wardrobe counterpart to the man's lederhosen.

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This Spanish jacket has been influenced by both dancing and fighting. What is it called?

The bolero jacket, a cropped ornate jacket that first appeared in the 19th century, draws its inspiration from bullfighting, which is rooted in a type of Spanish dance. Today, the bolero is similar to what you might think of as a shrug.

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A Scottish bonnet worn by men, this hat derived its name from a poem by Robert Burns. What is it called?

So goes the Burns poem, "... This truth finds honest Tam o' Shanter ... ," which somehow became the name for a Scottish hat typically knitted from a single piece of fabric. Tam O'Shanter hats usually come in a plaid pattern.

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Which of these shirts, popular in Hawaii, is also celebrated in the mainland?

An "aloha shirt" or "Hawaiian shirt" is a favorite in its originating Hawaii, but today, you can find these style of breezy, button-down shirt in just about any store throughout the U.S.

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Clint Eastwood popularized this Mexican shawl, which can also double as blanket or wall hanging. What is it?

The Mexican sarape may be as popular as the Mexican sombrero, coming in a variety of colors typically accented with fringe. The colorful patterns are by design, too — ancient civilizations believed the colors would safeguard from evil spirits.

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Which of these wardrobe pieces, a staple in France, might remind you of a pancake?

The beret has an interesting and varied history, from being worn at one time by only the poorest individuals in society to being adopted as a piece worn by military leaders and political activists. We like to think of it atop a Frenchman's head, though, eating a baguette at a Parisian cafe.

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Before MC Hammer made baggy pants famous, these loose-fitting, knee-length trousers were particularly popular with golfers and newsboys. What were they called?

New York now has the Knicks, which is short for Knickerbockers, which — you guessed it — came from the popular pants style in the early 20th century. Knickerbockers later became just "knickers," and the team became the Knicks.

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Cowboys made the "10-gallon" version of this popular in the United States. What do we know it as?

The 10-gallon Stetson hat is nearly a requirement if you live in Texas. Most people are unclear where it earned its "10-gallon" description, though, going back and forth between the image of it holding 10 gallons of water (it won't) and it drawing inspiration from Mexico's "tan galón" sombrero.

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Travel to Jamaica and you're likely to see more than a few people wearing which of these pieces?

Jamaicans favor the "rastacap," which is a bulbous, woven hat, thanks to extra room up top to accommodate braids or dreadlocks. The cap has also been associated with religious beliefs of Rastafari on the island.

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Made from wool to keep the wearer warm, these pieces resemble a poncho with a hood. What do they call these in Russia?

The luhkka is designed with colder temperatures in mind, helping cover the wearer from the top of their head to at least their waist. In the U.S., we might most closely associate these with the design of a poncho.

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Which of these African garments is also sometimes referred to as a blanket, due to its size and shape?

The shuka is typically attributed to the Maasai people of eastern Africa, with it drawing parallels to a blanket thanks to its size and shape. Shukas are predominantly red and can be worn wrapped any number of ways.

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In the United States, we tack the word "fisherman's" to the beginning of this sweater, but in Ireland, it is known as which of these?

These chunky sweaters favored by many in the United States actually have roots in Ireland as an "Aran jumper." This piece earned its name from the region in which it originated, the Aran Islands.

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This one-time headpiece covers a woman's chin, neck and hair, exposing only the face. What was it called?

A wimple was designed to expose only the most essential parts of the face from the forehead to just below the mouth. Women in medieval times wore these to demonstrate their modesty.

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Heavily embroidered or more simple, which of these traditional dresses is favored by women in Central America?

You've likely seen these popular dresses around and didn't know what they're called. The huipil can be very ornate or much simpler, and covers a variety of clothing types from shirts to a poncho-style piece to a full-length dress.

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In Japan, if you have a kimono, you're probably going to need one of these to go with it. What is it?

The "obi" is part of the kimono attire in Japanese society, functioning as a type of belt or sash to complement the outfit. Obis vary in color and design based on the person wearing them.

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Which of these colorless and collarless styles is popular in India?

These might remind you of a long nightshirt of sorts. The kurta is a tunic-style top with no collar (and no color, typically) worn by men throughout India. Pants to accompany a kurta are known as "pajama."

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Which of these Vietnamese hats bears a striking resemblance to a cone?

The Vietnamese "non la," which means leaf hat, should perhaps mean "cone hat" instead. Its shape comes to a peak at the top, tapering down on the side to form a wide cone. The design is said to help protect the wearer from sun and rain.

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This ancient Grecian garment differed from the toga in that it was sown rather than draped. What did they call it?

You may find the chiton and the toga to be similar in appearance, but the two are, in fact, different. A chiton was sewn, particularly around the shoulders and along the sides, while a toga was gently draped (but had no stitching).

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Is it a dress? Is it a blouse? Perhaps it's both. Which of these wardrobe pieces is a staple for Indonesian women?

It started as a wardrobe piece for royals but was loved by so many that it became a regular wardrobe item for women in Indonesia as well as the nations of Malaysia, Thailand and other countries. It mimics both a blouse and a dress and often incorporates lace or silk.

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Which of these should you grab if you go on an adventure to Tahiti?

Similar to a sarong, the "pareo" is popular in Tahiti and nearby islands as a length of fabric tied around the waist to be worn as a skirt. Some women even wear them further up the torso as a dress.

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If you're extra cold, this thick jacket with a hood, favored by the French and Canadians, might help. What is it called?

Sharing a name, but no other history, with noted author Truman Capote, the thick coat that comes with or without a hood was first created from blankets. Travelers to the New World favored them, as did Canadians, to help deal with harsh winter conditions.

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Samoans prefer this loose-fitting garment and wear it for both business and pleasure. What is it called?

A lavalava can be brightly-colored, a length of fabric tied at the waist, or more subdued in color for special occasions or as part of a dignified uniform. It seems many island nations have their version of a sarong and Samoa is no different.

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They didn't just get out of the shower; these robe-length garments are the national dress of Bhutan. What are they called?

Though it gives the appearance of a dress, the gho is actually designed to be worn belted by Bhutan men. (The women's version is called a kira.) Both form the base of most outfits in this small country, with extra pieces layered on for special occasions.

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In Somalia, men eschew pants in favor of these brightly-colored skirts. What are they called?

Not only are these sarong-style skirts colorful, but their name is reminiscent of a colorful bird known as the macaw. They may also be plain white as well, at the discretion of the man wearing it.

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If you are planning to go to church in Indonesia, you'll probably want to wear one of these, a type of sarong. What is it?

A kain, as it's known in Indonesia, is a type of skirt that takes the shape of a sarong, or a piece of fabric wrapped around the wearer and tied at the waist. Another part of traditional Indonesian clothing for women is a sash, known as a selendang, that accompanies the kain.

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Which of these might be an ideal wardrobe topper if you were herding reindeer? (Seriously.)

A kolt, sometimes also known as a gákti, looks like a brightly-colored tunic or dress worn by the Sámi people in northern Europe and Russia. It is particularly useful when it's cold thanks to its high collar and one-time construction of animal skin.

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