Mongolian traditional costume 'Deel'

▶ Mongolian traditional costume 'Deel'

In general, Mongolian clothes follow the principle "What I have, do bear along.". Sudden changes of weather with temperatures fluctuating up to 20 degrees, sudden snow or sand storms make nomads to be always ready in any situation.  A harsh climate and uneasy life demand attention to smallest details of clothes. I would say Mongols do like to wear nice, richly decorated clothes which compensate the simple, ascetic nomadic lifestyle. 

  A deel is an item of traditional clothing commonly worn since centuries ago among the Mongols and other nomadic tribes of Central Asia, including various Turkic peoples, and can be made from cotton, silk, wool, or brocade.

  The deel is still commonly worn by both men and women outside major towns, especially by herders. In urban areas, deels are mostly only worn by elderly people, or on festive occasions. The deel appears similar to a caftan or an old European folded tunic. Deels typically reach to below the wearer's knees and fan out at the bottom and are commonly blue, olive, or burgundy, though there are deels in a variety of other colors.

Mongolian in Deel Festival

  The deel looks like a large overcoat. Instead of buttoning together in the middle, the sides are pulled against the wearers body, the right flap close to the body with the left covering. On the right side of the wearer are typically 5 or 6 clasps to hold the top flap in place. There is one clasp below the armpit, three at the shoulder, and either one or two at the neckline.

  A deel is traditionally worn with a large sash, usually made of silk but leather belts with large, ornate buckles have become more common in the modern era. The area between the flaps and above the belt creates a large pocket in which Mongolians keep many things, Mongolian men will occasionally even carry bottles of vodka in their deel. Though there is no major difference in material or outline between male and female deels, females tend to wear the "pocket" closer (that is, women often prefer a more snug-fitting deel), while males' may have both larger pockets, looser fit, and wider sleeves.

 

－source : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deel