Traditional Clothing of the Hasidic and Hawaiian Cultures

Traditional Clothing of the Hasidic and Hawaiian Cultures

Clothing can tell many things about a person. Bright colors can give the hint of an outgoing person, while dark colors can signify seriousness. Some of the clothing choices are purely personal choices, while others are based on religious or cultural beliefs. Walking through the streets of any Metropolis clothing styles can vary like the leaves of a tree during fall. Gangs today use clothing to mark their territory. The Bloods and Crypts each have their own color-coded clothing to tell each other apart.

Sometimes people wear clothing so they can be set apart from the general population. Other times people just wear what makes them feel good. Two groups that fall into these categories are Hasidic Jews and Hawaiians.

Hasidic Clothing

It is a dark night and you are walking down a quiet street, someone is approaching, all you can make out is a dark figure, becoming nervous you quicken your pace, all of a sudden under the glow of the street lamp all of your fears are washed away. The person approaching is wearing a black coat, black suit and matching black hat, this person is not a threat, he is a Hasidic Jew, and his reputation tells you that he is a man of G-d , and would never cause you harm.

Even though this man has not spoken a single word, you don’t even know his name, but you already know so much about him. His costume tells you that he is a religious man, part of an orthodox group of Jews who generally keep to themselves. However, there is more to the clothing then just a membership in a group, there is a meaning to the clothing.

Black clothing is often associated with Hasidic Jews. Not all Hasidim wear black, the women and children are often dressed in bright colors. In addition, not all Jewish “men in black" are Hasidim. Some Hasidic groups do have a uniform of sorts for the men, while others do not. Male Hasidic clothing does not have to be black, but is usually a dark conservative color. The use of black clothing on Sabbaths and holy days traces back to a time when black dye was rare and expensive, so black was reserved for formal occasions. The Sabbath is a time for honoring G-d by dressing nicely, so people wore their best black coats on the Sabbath (Hasidism Culture).

Fig.1

A specific Jewish clothing style is not biblically required, except to cover the body for modesty, that men and women should dress differently, and the idea that Jews should maintain a recognizable identity as people. For some Jews, that includes specific styles of clothing, and different groups have different styles.

Hawaiian Clothing

Tropical breezes, sandy beaches, and friendly people, many people associate these things with Hawaii. Why is it that Hawaiians have a reputation for being so friendly? Maybe it is the way they greet visitors with a warm Aloha! On the other hand, maybe it is the bright clothing and accessories that are common on many Hawaiian Islands. Fig.2

Hawaiian’s define themselves by their relationships to each other, their ancestors, and their land. Without these bonds on interconnectedness, they would be incomplete. Being Hawaiian involves nurturing and honoring these ties. In the Hawaiian society, one is expected to know and understand what it means to be a contributing member of the community. Everyone has a responsibility to use their talents to the benefit of the entire ohana (family) (Hawaiian Culture).

Usually Hawaiians dress the same as people on the mainland, but considering that Hawaii is warm and tropical, the natives tend to dress much more light and colorful then on the main land. Flowered shirts, bright shorts, and colorful leis along with shelled jewelry make up a native Hawaiians costume. Warm colors have a calming effect on people’s moods, and mixed with the colorful tropics, it’s no wonder Hawaiians are considered