Native Filipino Costume Ideas, and How to Wear Them Respectfully
Updated: 3 days ago
Looking for a native Filipino costume for a cultural event or school day? Here are ideas, plus a few things to avoid.
Good choices
Barong Tagalog or camisa de chino with a salakot
Baro't saya or Maria Clara with a panuelo
Patadyong or balintawak for a lighter, fiesta look
A malong, worn as a skirt or wrap
Folk dance costumes for performances, like Tinikling or Maglalatik
What to avoid
Wearing sacred or ceremonial Indigenous items as a casual costume
'Tribal' costumes that mix random elements from different communities
Darkening skin or exaggerated features
Do this instead
Pick a specific tradition, learn its name and origin, and buy from Filipino makers and weavers when you can.
Everyday option
Not dressing up? A Filipino heritage tee or jersey shows pride any day of the year.
Wear the story
Wear your culture year-round. Shop UGAT. UGAT means roots. Know yours.
Shop the Ugat Jersey Collection
Wear the history. Our mesh jerseys put Filipino heroes and Baybayin front and center, $72 each.
Kalayaan Jersey — Maroon mesh with a hand-drawn U honoring the heroes of Philippine independence. KALAYAAN 98 on the back. Shop now →
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Delano Manong Jersey — Brown mesh honoring the Filipino farmworkers who started the 1965 Delano Grape Strike. Shop now →
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