The Role of Natural Materials in Mongolian Garment Craftsmanship
Have you ever imagined what it is like to combine the beauty of old traditions with that of nature itself to produce the most beautiful crafts?
And it’s true in Mongolia, clothes are intrinsically linked to the natural world. Every piece of material — from the softest yak wool to the durable leather from native animals — is chosen for practical reasons and symbolic weight.
Instead of mere costumes, these are words of the saga of survival, culture, and the coexistence of man as an entity and nature.
An unspoken intimacy with the environment comes through in an expression of the indigenous techniques passed down through generations, where the stitch, weave, and texture all speak to the resourcefulness and creativity of the Mongolian people.
To fully understand Mongolian garment craftsmanship, one must delve into the function and form of the country’s apparel and how it is bound to these natural materials.
Read on to learn how past traditions left their mark on modern designs.
1. Wool
Wool is an important raw material for traditional Mongolian clothing.
Sheep wool is thick and warm, so it’s perfect for cold, harsh winters when you have extremely low temperatures.
To keep you warm, you need to have woolen items such as the deel (traditional robe). It is also used for weaving felt fabrics from which all tents (ger) and blankets are made.
It’s a natural insulator that can hold heat but also keeps you sufficiently breathable.
As a result, it is suitable for all types of clothes, including shawls, scarves, and warm coats, designed to make you warm without sacrificing comfort.
Its practicality is just as useful if used in heavier cloth or in thin strands, and it still remains sturdy as the weather gets icier.
2. Silk
Silk is a luxurious material that has been integral to Mongolian clothing for centuries, especially in formal and ceremonial garments. Traditionally, raw silk was imported from China and woven into colorful fabrics.
Silk is incorporated into high-status garments, particularly the deel, worn during special occasions. These colorful and complex patterns have often represented family history or social standing and hence became a fashion statement and a symbol of status.
Besides kimonos, silk is also used for scarves, sashes, and neckties to add vivid colors to the decoration of Mongolian costumes. Especially worn on festivals, marriages, and other religious occasions, this fabric bears its elegance and cultural importance.
Thus, silk is kept in Mongolian life as a symbol of luxury and tradition.
3. Cotton
While wool and silk are the dominant materials in traditional Mongolian garments, cotton is important, especially for lighter clothing or summer wear. Cotton is widely used in weaving into light, airy fabrics, making it ideal for warm-weather wear.
It is comfortable, easy to maintain, and ideal for everyday wear during the hot summer months.
4. Animal Fur and Feathers
In Mongolia, furs and feathers are used to heighten both the warmth and the appearance of garments, most especially in the colder northern areas of the country.
Furs of animals like wolves, foxes, and squirrels are usually used to trim hoods, cuffs, and collars of winter coats to add an extra layer of insulation.
The luxurious outerwear, such as a deel, is adorned with fox and wolf furs; feather ornaments provide splotches of color.
Influence of Mongolian Garment Craftsmanship on Modern Fashion
1. Embracing Natural Textiles
Modern fashion is increasingly gravitating towards natural materials due to Mongolia’s tradition of using natural materials like wool, silk, and cotton. Sheep, camel, and yak are the source of Mongolian wool, which is known for its warmth and durability.
For those looking to make high-quality, environmentally friendly items, these qualities appeal. Wool’s texture and weight give it the versatility to create lightweight scarves and winter coats.
Another Mongolian craft that has made its way to the modern luxury wear scene is silk. Much like traditional Mongolian deel designs, its association with elegance and cultural significance motivates designers to implement intricate patterns in contemporary garments.
2. Focus on Functional Aesthetics
Mongolian clothes, and most notably, deel, are designed specifically to be elegant while practical. Nowadays, this balance between function and form translates to what we nowadays call ‘versatile and utilitarian’ design.
The deel’s layers for insulation, and flowing design for easy movement, have been revived in modern outerwear, especially in colder climates. These ideas serve as the foundation for many of today’s urban and outdoor clothing collections that merge form and function.
Fashion can be useful and beautiful, and Mongolian craftsmanship is a reminder of that!
3. Revival of Handcrafted Techniques
Mongolia’s intricate hand embroidery and weaving techniques, previously passed generationally, were revived by designers who are promoting meticulous hand stitching.
In opposition to the mass production model of modern-day fashion, these methods uphold the focus on detail and individuality. The Mongolian brands use traditional techniques in their designs, often limited edition pieces.
Its value in handcrafted garments is vital, but it also demonstrates the significance of safeguarding cultural heritage and establishing a platform for traditional Mongolian craftsmanship at the global level.
Conclusion
Mongolian garment craftsmanship is a living, bonded expression between nature and culture, each piece of material rich with a story of survival and artistry.
Wool, cotton, silk, and felted wool reflect familiarity with land and climate.
All these fabrics, from camel wool, are used to provide the essential warmth of luxurious silk, bearing some symbolic meaning.
Mongolian clothing continues to have an old traditional touch, and its modernizing influence cannot be separated from the ancient relationship with nature, heritage, and creativity.
