The Lepcha tribe, an aboriginal community mainly located in Sikkim, is also noted for rich cultural heritage as far as traditional attire is concerned. This off-white sleeveless shirt with self-design forms one indelible part of their traditional wear.
This stitched, off-white sleeveless shirt is simple and comfortable and serves a functional purpose considering the hilly terrain and forested environment where the Lepchas are located. The self-design adds a minimally alluring touch to their aesthetic sense, which is really very different from normal. Typically made from cotton or other natural fibers, it is light, breathable, and ideal for a place where there is frequent change of weather.
Lepcha men wear this sleeveless shirt from their daily wear to ceremonial wear. Generally, wear it along with Thokro-Dum, which is actually a robe-like dress consisting of a waist cloth and a cap. The simplicity yet elegance of this shirt depicts the deep-rooted love for nature by the Lepchas, who prefer using eco-friendly and locally sourced materials.
Modern influences have changed their dress styles to some extent, contributing new types of clothes into the wardrobes of the Lepcha, but this form of traditional dress, including the sleeveless shirt, is still pulled on during festivals, cultural ceremonies, and communal gatherings, most importantly as identifiers of identity and heritage from which they draw pride. The Lepcha people are proud of their past and consequently form an essential part of cultural expression in their clothing.