Girls in Myanmar are doing all kinds of things these days with longyis – the centuries-old modest but elegant outfit. In Yangon, they’re tucking in sleeveless tops and hitching up the skirts.
But the latest reinvention – courtesy of a Yangon-based designer – took the experimentation a step too far for some this week.
Pictures of Miss Universe Myanmar contestants dolled-up in cut-out longyis exposing their backs, midriffs and bras caused a furor on social media.
The images were shared thousands of times, with commenters accusing the outfits’ creators of screwing too much with cultural heritage.
After all, the classic longyi look is more like this.
And the new style…
“That’s so called destroying tradition,” wrote Pyone Thida Aung underneath one of the pictures posted to Facebook by designer Nyein Ko.
“If you want to creat [sic] like this, Please do on other western dresses,” she continued. “Should not do on tradition. Please do not destroy our traditional costume !!!”
The main sticking points? The Westernized style and exposed flesh.
“Vulgar designs, not suitable for Myanmar girls,” wrote Nyunt Wai underneath a post by Mingalapar website.
Others put a more positive spin on the design – after all, at least it’s not fully Western.
“I accept that!!” wrote Za Htun Thit. “Instead of wearing sexy miniskirts and others, this design can be accepted!”
“I like the idea,” added Luu Kha Lay. “This may be good for high humid weather like myanmar. Think about passive air flow design.”
The biggest error here may lie in the styling – the exposed bra is divisive in any country.
“I like it, but if you dress this way, you shouldn’t wear bras,” wrote Kong Lee. “It doesn’t look good with it.”
Photos / Nyein Ko / Facebook
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