A sinh (pronounced ‘sin’) is the traditional skirt worn by Lao women. It is quite simple in design, but proves to be more difficult to explain in words so I will not attempt it here.
Our adventure begins in the narrow, crowded, dimly lit Lao market. The first step in acquiring a sinh is to choose and purchase a piece of cloth (measuring about 2 yards). This can be quite a task because every small shop has choices in every color under the sun. We dug through piles of fabric, some with intricate embroidery or woven patterns as well as your choice in cotton, silk or a mix of the two. My choice was to find a simple cotton fabric, and I did find one at a great deal, 30,000 kip ($3.60)!
After you have chosen your fabric, the next step is to head to your tailor to be measured. What a store! The walls are lined with sinh after sinh on hangers, and women working at tables in the center of the room sewing. It took the seamstress about 30 seconds to measure me up, and then said to come back in three days to pick it up. The picture tells the rest!
I absolutely love my new sinh! It cost only 45,000 kip (Under $5.00), is cool and comfortable. I think it will be my new favorite piece of clothing, and I’m wondering when I can get out to the market to start the process all over again!
Cute Kaarina! Praying for you!
ReplyDeleteYou look great! Glad things are going so well for you both, still praying for you both.
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