Standard clothes in Kyrgyzstan are based on the nomadic lifestyle of the Kyrgyz people. Kyrgyzstan’s traditional clothing is comparable to other Central Asian states such as Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
Kyrgyz people especially love the classic embroidery made by the women on their clothes with vague patterns. Over the course of the last two centuries the trend for men to wear it was rapidly replaced by western style dressing and only the tradition of wearing the kolpok hat remained. Only on two festive occasions do Kyrgyz men wear a “zhelek”, a standard coat made of blue, black or brown velvet, belted at the waist. Loved the pants with little beautifications.
Young Kyrgyz girls wear the traditional “koinok” which has high necklines with simple embellishments on the skirts and sleeves. They cover themselves with a huge texture decorated with floral patterns.
A classic cone-shaped headdress studded with feathers, coins or beads is another accessory to a Kyrgyz girl’s outfit. Middle-aged or older Kyrgyz girls prefer simple dresses with large white headpieces called “elechek”.
The most beautiful traditional dress of Kyrgyzstan is the wedding dress of the Kyrgyz bride, which is long and usually white. The sleeveless jacket is fully flared. The bride’s headdress is referred to as the “shokulo” and is very tall and conical in shape with a veil falling behind the bride’s face.
