Vibrant, intricate and beautiful are words that go some way to describing the traditional costume of the Nepalese people.

With much of the influence behind the nation’s customary garments rooted in Hinduism, it takes no stretch of the imagination to envisage the kaleidoscope of colours and elaborate patterns used to reflect its strong roots in one of the world’s oldest and most diverse religions.

Although Western influences are clearly visible in the everyday fashion choices of Nepalese people today, strands of the country’s traditional costume, which came to fruition almost 50 years ago, are still detectable.

For men, traditional wear comprises a dhaka topi, a hat made from a special type of cloth in the Palpa district of Nepal and a shirt and trousers combination known as ‘daura suruwal’.

The outfit began life as the national dress code for men working in government offices but is no longer compulsory attire.

The shirt — daura — is a long double-breasted garment that reaches below the waist and has a closed collar to symbolise the Hindu belief in the God of Destruction, Lord Shiva.

As the third member of the Hindu Trinity, which represents the powers of nature to create, preserve and destroy the universe, Shiva is commonly depicted wearing a garland of snakes around his neck symbolising his power to dissolve and recreate the universe to maintain the balance between good and evil.

The closed collar of a traditional Nepalese shirt is used to signify the snake around his neck.

The trousers — suruwal — are a simple design tapered at the waist and ankle.

The complete outfit is rarely worn although the topi remains a staple feature in Nepalese men’s wardrobes today and is typically teamed with everyday outfits from jeans to suits.

But while the average Nepalese man living in England is more likely to own several pairs of jeans than a single daura suruwal, women have remained strong advocates of the country’s flagship garments.

Traditional outfits for Nepalese women varies according to their caste but typically involves elegant saris (cloth wrapped around the waist and over one shoulder), long, double-breasted dresses known as ‘chow bandi choli’ or flowing trousers.

These are teamed with patterned blouses and shawls, or ‘majetro’, which are then draped over complete outfits.

Gold jewellery and ornaments are also an important feature of women’s dress.

Expensive necklaces, bracelets and earrings made from 22 or 24 carat gold are worn to decorate the already distinctive costume of the typical Nepalese woman as well as demonstrate wealth and taste.

Miaya KC, who lives in Welbeck Close, Farnborough, was born and raised in Manchester by Nepalese parents.

She said: “Very few men wear traditional Nepalese clothing because nowhere in the UK sells it — we are only just getting proper Nepalese food over here.

“People have to bring clothes into this country from abroad but they do wear the hat with everyday wear.”

She said that women find it easier to dress traditionally because they wear garments like saris, which are more widely available.

“Nepalese women tend to wear Indian blouses rather than the traditional double breasted wrap-around ones because they are made out of a special material that is always patterned and only comes in certain colours.

“It’s very important to us that the sari matches the top and women are very competitive with clothes and jewellery.

“They rarely wear the same outfit twice because that traditional wear is usually only worn on special occasions when all the family is present.”

Floaty Indian tops that fall below the waist, known as kurta tops, are the of-the-moment choice for Nepalese women today.

These are teamed with saris, jeans or casual trousers to create a relaxed, everyday look.

Certain colours are also used to symbolise important occasions and it is traditional for everybody to wear red to weddings and white to funerals. Young boys will also have their head shaved to symbolise their entrance into their teenage years.

Nepalese girls in certain castes can also have their heads shaved, as it is believed it helps their hair to grow back thicker and stronger.

Miaya said: “Men only shave their head twice in their life — once when they are younger and again if their father dies.

“Then they must also be stripped of colour and wear white for a whole year afterwards as a symbol of purity.”

To read a Nepalese version of this story click here.