The traditional dresses of Manipur are known for their unique charm, grace and appeal consistently drawing attention in the fashion world. These dresses are simple, cosy, and carry traditional values, cultural values and history beautifully.
The outfits are creative and vibrant yet maintain the distinctiveness of their cultural roots. Apart from beauty, one can witness the exceptional skills in the craftmanship of these traditional dresses of Manipur. Any dress of a state not only shows its cultural values but plays a crucial role in preserving the heritage. Dive in to take a glimpse of the traditional dress of Manipur to understand the unique style of the state better:

Traditional Dress of Manipur for Men 

1. Dhoti or Pheijom

A Dhoti is also known as Pheijom in Manipur. It is a traditional outfit with great cultural significance. The dhoti is a long piece of cloth wrapped between the legs and around the waist. It is available in white or cream color. The draping style may vary from person to person. Dhoti or Pheijom represents the traditional values and cultural roots of the state. They are worn with kurta and pagri on special occasions. Traditional Dresses of Manipur

2. Kurta or Shirt

Kurta, or a shirt, is worn by Manipuri men to cover their upper halves. This is also a crucial part of the traditional dress of Manipur for men. It is nothing special but rather a simple piece of clothing with cultural importance. 
Kurta looks graceful and symbolizes respect in the community. These are worn on special occasions, festivals, weddings and other ceremonies. This tradition shows their willing involvement in the community’s cultural activities and celebrations. Traditional Dresses of Manipur

3. Pagri

Pagri is worn on head. It is a very crucial part of the traditional dress of Manipur for men. It is a long piece of cloth with bright colors fabric and simple patterns. Pagri is a special turban that represents family honor and respect in Manipuri culture. Men wear Pagri on special occasions or ceremonies like weddings. Traditional Dresses of Manipur

Traditional Dress of Manipur for Women 

4. Inaphi

Inaphi is a cloth used to wrap the upper body. It is just like a shawl, made using traditional fabric, striking colors, and bold motifs. The skilful weavers of Manipur only use soft pastel colors to create this shawl to highlight the appeal of the shawl. The traditional fabric is translucent. 

5.Phanek

Phaneks are very comfy and a beautiful summer wear outfit. They look stylish while carrying the ethnic look. Women wear Phanek around their waist. They are hand-woven on a loin loom with cotton, silk and other synthetic fabrics. Phaneks generally have block print, dyed in flat colors or stripes. The traditional dress of women does not have floral or bold designs. It is paired with a mini blouse and upper cloth. 

6. Mayek Naibi

Mayek Naibi is variant of Phanek. It is worn on special days, cultural events, and for traditional functions. This dress has a very heavy embroidery work. The embroidery is further embellished with studs in different designs. These dresses are very simple with soft colors and look elegant.

7. Lai-Phi

Lai-Phi is a beautiful outfit worn by women as a part of the traditional dress of Manipur. The dress signifies the culture and represents rich heritage. 
It is a special shawl worn with Phanek and a blouse. This shawl has intricate designs and is hand-woven. They also have features that show the love for nature and signify some local stories making each piece of this shawl unique. It is a skilful mastery of the Manipur people.

8. Chin-Phi

Chin-Phi is a special accessory made for women to wear as a part of the traditional dress of Manipur. It is just a light scarf made using fine fabrics like silk. Women wear these around their necks or over their heads. They also wear it during festivals and traditional events. This little scarf is a symbol of grace in Manipuri culture.

9. Potloi

Potloi is a very special dress worn by women of Manipur. It is especially worn during weddings and dance performances. It is a beautiful skirt adorned with sequins, beads, and lots of mirrors. This creates a dazzling and eye-catching appearance. This dress is not just pretty it is stunning. It is a very important dress in Manipur culture. The dress represents the tradition and heritage of the state. They are also worn often in classical dancing like the Ras Lila.

10. Kumjin

It is a traditional blouse worn by women in Manipur. They are simple but look stylish and are often paired with the Phanek. The Kumjin is well-known for its comfort and subtle design made of lightweight fabrics. This traditional top symbolises the culture and heritage of the state. Aking In

Traditional Dress of Bishnupriya Manipuri 

The Bishnupriya Manipuri community is different from Meitei Manipuris. They have their own traditional clothing to represent their roots. They reside in Northeast India and various parts of Bangladesh. Even after modern influences, they’re still keeping their traditions alive. 
Bishnupriya Manipuri Women Dress: They wear a traditional skirt called a Rigum. It is similar to Phanek worn by Meitei Manipuris. Rigum features bright colors and unique patterns, displaying intricate hand-weaving skills.
They use a cloth that looks like a shawl similar to Innaphi to cover the upper body. Risa is made of fine fabric, designed beautifully showing cultural motifs and designs. Underneath the Rigum, they wear a blouse with a subtle design. 
For Bishnupriya Manipuri men, their traditional clothing includes a dhoti, kurta and a pagri, resembling the traditional dress of Manipur.

Traditional Jewellery of Manipur

Beads are the most used material in creating beautiful traditional jewellery in Manipur. These elegant beads are used to make traditional necklaces. However, the majority of typical ornaments are made of gold and studded with different types of precious gems. These stunning pieces of jewellery are always in demand. Some well-known jewellery are Khimahurn, Kiyang-Likphang, Marei, and Heibi Mapal. Apart from gold, they also use silver and brass for making necklaces, earrings, and nose studs. 
The tribal jewellery of Manipur is quite special. They use metals to make their ornaments. They also use beads ornaments, ivory armlets and ornaments made of seeds or beetles. In contrast, many tribes also use bamboo or cane leggings dyed using vegetable dyes. They wear cane or bamboo earrings and nose studs, which are dyed and decorated using bird feathers.