Sarong Feels So Right Trivia Quiz

Answer: Middle East

Also spelled kufiya, the keffiyeh is a traditional headdress fashioned from a square scarf, and used by men in the Middle East (especially farmers and shepherds) to protect their head from sand, dust and sunburn. It is generally made of cotton, or cotton-wool mix, and woven in a distinctive checkered pattern.

In the 1930s, the keffiyeh became a symbol of Palestinian nationalism, and this status was later reinforced by Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, who adopted it as his personal symbol and was rarely seen in public without it.

This led to the keffiyeh becoming popular in the West, both as a symbol of support for the Palestinian cause and as a trendy accessory.

Answer: Alpine regions of Germany and Austria

Dirndl ("maiden" in the Bavarian dialect of southern Germany) is a traditional feminine dress of Austria, Bavaria and South Tyrol, based on the traditional clothing worn by peasants in the Alpine region. It consists of a full skirt, bodice, blouse and apron, and comes both in summer and winter versions (the latter, of course, made with heavier, warmer fabrics).

In the 19th century the dirndl was used as a uniform by Austrian servants, but was then adopted by the upper classes as a fashionable dress. Nowadays it is often worn in its regions of origin on formal occasions or during traditional events such as the Oktoberfest in Munich.

Answer: Central America

The traditional garment worn by indigenous women in Central Mexico and Central America, the huipil is a loose-fitting tunic made of rectangular panels of cloth (generally two or three, but in some cases up to five) stitched together, leaving openings for the head and the arms. Traditional huipils are heavily decorated with embroidery, ribbons and lace; those worn on formal occasions are even more elaborate. Huipils have been used in Mesoamerica for centuries, and their origin dates back to well before the arrival of the Spanish conquerors.

Answer: Central Africa

Pagne (also known as lappa or wrapper) is a colourful item of clothing worn by women in Central Africa. It is a piece of cotton fabric (two by six yards) characterized by patterns that convey a number of messages about its wearer - such as economic and social status, or political stance.

A pagne can be used to create formal garments, or simply used as a wrap, skirt, headscarf, or even as a sling to carry children or goods. The name pagne probably comes from the Latin "pannum", meaning "cloth".

Answer: Afghanistan and South Asia

Shalwar kameez is a generic term for a traditional outfit worn by both men and women in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Northern India. It consists of baggy, pajama-like pants (shalwar) and a tunic or shirt (kameez) of varying length, and comes with different names according to the region.

It can be made in a wide range of fabrics, colours and styles, and can be accompanied by accessories such as turbans and scarves.

Answer: China

The Cantonese word cheongsam denotes a figure-hugging, one-piece dress for women, also known as qipao or Mandarin dress. Its origins are still controversial, as the dress in its modern form was developed in Shanghai in the 1920s, but it is held by some to be much older.

In any case, it is a dress meant to emphasize a woman's figure, and as such is often worn at parties or on other formal occasions rather than for everyday wear; it is also used as a uniform for women flight attendants by some airlines in Taiwan and Mainland China.

The cheongsam was made briefly fashionable in the West by actress Nancy Kwan, the female protagonist of the movie "The World of Suzie Wong" (1960).

Answer: Russia

The sarafan is a long, pinafore-style dress worn over a white undershirt with sleeves. Nowadays is used by Russian women and girls as a costume for folk singing and dancing; in tzarist Russia, however, it was worn by women of all classes, especially in the summer months.

The width of the dress indicated the wearer's social status and regional origin. First recorded in history around the 14th century, the sarafan is the dress that you can see painted on the traditional Russian wooden dolls known as Matryoshkas.

Answer: Polynesia

Pareo, or pareu, is a Tahitian word denoting a wraparound skirt, a piece of cloth wound around the body and worn by both men and women - thus related to the Malay sarong featured in the quiz title. Tahitian pareos are particularly colourful, decorated with bright flower patterns.

A pareo can be worn wrapped around the upper body, or as a skirt, either long or short; the ends are generally just tucked or knotted together, without the use of pins or other implements. Like other items of clothing mentioned in this quiz, pareos have become very popular in the West as beachwear.

Answer: Pyrenees region of France and Spain

Very popular as summer footwear, espadrilles are shoes made of canvas or cotton fabric, with a jute rope sole. The latter was originally made with a tough local grass called esparto - hence the Basque name "espartina". The existence of this kind of shoes has been documented since the first half of the 14th century, though their origin may be much older. Once used as traditional peasant footwear, espadrilles have now become fashionable as casual warm-weather shoes, and are available in a wide range of styles and prices.

Answer: Vietnam

The ao dai ("long shirt") is the Vietnamese national costume - a long, form-fitting silk tunic worn over pants. Nowadays it is generally worn by women, though it can also be worn by men. It probably originated in the 18th century, and was developed into its modern form in the 1950s. Though the ao dai became politically controversial for some time after the Communists gained power, it experienced a revival in the 1980s, and has now become one of the symbols of Vietnamese culture and identity.