This is a guest post written by Meghan Pierce, a lover of Thailand and travel. In it, she gives us the low down on Thai women’s fashion from 1920 up until the present day. Fashion lovers and history buffs hold your breath, this is an interesting one!
Thailand Travel is my passion and I indulge in it as often as I can. It is such a beautiful and mysterious place. It’s a place where old and new, modern and traditional, European, American and Asian cultures come together in a way I have never experienced before. In a country where today and yesterday are side by side, I wanted to take a look at the life of a Thai woman back in 1920 and compare it to the life of a Thai woman today. I think we’ll be surprised at the difference. Join me on this journey, traveling to Thailand and through time.
Image source. Queen Sirikit and King Bhumibol in Thailand with Eisenhower in 1960
1920-1939
In 1920 the geographical gem of Thailand was better known as Siam. Just the sound of it is magical. During this time, and until 1932, the country was ruled under absolute monarchy. It survived colonialism, which began in the 18th century, because the French and the English declared it a neutral zone to protect their colonies. If you were to encounter a common Thai woman from that day and age, she would have probably had short, cropped hair, a trouser-like wrap around her waist, covering her legs. Her upper body, including her breasts, would have been bare. The attire would have been very similar to that of her father, brother or husband. Hierarchy, being high on the values list of the Thai, made for respectful wives and children. A trait that, contrary to western countries, has been carried into our time. Obedience was paramount.
1940-1959
It would be foolish to believe that colonialism did not influence Siam; it did in many ways. Things were changing. Thai royalty was adapting to western culture in order to be accepted into the fraternal world of the western blue-blooded. They were leading their subordinates into a new cultural era in a very swift and almost painless way. Movies, with their stars and glamor, were spreading western culture quicker than any newspaper or magazine could have. Fore-runner for adapting western women’s fashion and decorum would definitely be queen Sirikit herself. She mastered the art of integrating Thai fabrics and designs into modern day fashion. Holding on to Thai tradition while reaching for western ways, was a balancing act that the royal couple King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Queen Sirikit mastered.
Image source. The official wedding photo of King Bhumibol Adulvadei and Queen Sirikit in 1950
1960 – today
Things started changing even faster when television became available, showing Thais what the western cultures had to offer and keeping everyone up to date on what was going on in the world. Even if there wasn’t a television in every household, there were plenty of them in public places to spread the news. The topics were varied and included politics, movies, books, music and fashion. Queen Sirikit visited many countries in this time, enchanting the western world with her elegance, poise, intelligence and kindness. She was and is not only loved in her own country, she was revered everywhere she went. She was also, understandably so, the role model of young Thai women during that time and still is today. She has helped women find their self-confidence and gave them a voice, one that still resounds today.
Let’s start by comparing traditional and modern attire. Quite a difference, don’t you agree?
Today it’s becoming harder and harder to differentiate a people by their attire. Globalization, through the media, has brought most young people together on the same page. The western world no longer has the monopoly on Jeans and t-shirts, they have become a world-wide phenomenon, one which has been embraced by Thai youth as well. However, the charm of Thailand lies in its capability of combining traditional with modern in one and the same place. You can listen to traditional Thai music while a Thai teen standing next to you gyrates to the beats of rap music on his/her mp3-player or phone. You can have a fresh Yum Nua (spicy beef salad) or have a cheeseburger at Mickey D’s.
The only thing that is still 100% old Siam is the friendliness and helpfulness of its people. A rare commodity for a large population, in a crazy and wild new world. We have been following Sirikit from 1950 until today and showed the influence she has had on westernizing Thailand, a task that she is still taking in stride. But let’s not forget that it worked the other way around as well. Queen Sirikit and King Bhumibol showed the world what Thailand has to offer as well. Something I’m very grateful for. Their efforts are the reason why we have come to know and love Thailand and have even brought some back with us.
I don’t think I know a large western city that doesn’t boast several Thai restaurants. Do you?
I’d like to close my comparison of yesterday to today with her Royal Highness Sirikit. This photo showing Queen Sirikt with Vladimir Putin was taken during her visit to Russia in 2007 and demonstrates her easy elegance, her always prevailing smile and her expertise at combining western fashion with traditional fabrics and patterns. A Queen indeed.
