Traditional Dresses of Manipur carry their own unique characteristics. A traditional Manipuri costume for women includes a shawl called "Innaphi", a "Phanek" and a wrap around skirt called "Sarong". A Manipuri man wears a dhoti, a jacket and a white Pagri or turban. Manipur Traditional Dresses of Manipur are very charisma, attractive, very simple and easy to wear them. The patterns and designs on the costumes are very unique and colourful. The Manipuri dress is woven with the hand in horizontal line designs. Many weaving processes are carried out by the women, and they will mainly use cotton as well as other fabric types. All North-Eastern States in India have the skill of handloom weaving, and this applies to Manipur as well.
Different costumes are worn during the colourful Manipuri festivals. In fact there are separate costumes for separate festivals in Manipur. The "Potlois" and "Kumins" are the traditional costumes for the Rasa Leela festivals. Other traditional dresses worn during the festivals and festival related dances are the "Koks", "Phurits", etc. Some other dress forms used by different tribes in Manipur are "Lmaphie", "Saijounba", "Ningthoupee" and "Phiranji".
Traditional Dresses for Men of Manipur
The traditional costume of Manipur male includes a white dhoti, chadar and a white Pargi (headdress). In winter rich men use a quilted and padded coat. The superior member of society wears cloth which called "Khamen Chatpa". The "Khamen Chatpa" is generally worn on the ritual occasions. In ancient period the kings gifted "Khamen Chatpa" to the Genius, Poets and well-known people as gifts and award.
Traditional Dresses for Women of Manipur
Innaphi and Phanek are the Manipuri traditional dress for women in Manipur. Women wear coloured long striped piece of cotton or silk cloth called "Phanek", blouse and white chadar of different designs and prints on them. In winter, they use a short jacket of velvet or satin with half sleeves. All Manipuri women wore these costumes.
With the advancement of time and the spread of Christianity and western education, people in Manipur have become extremely fashion conscious. However, they still love to flaunt their traditional attires and have modified the old styled clothes with modernized variations.
