Fashions From Abroad: Sweden, Bulgaria & Malaysia

Interested in knowing more about the dress practices in other countries and cultures? So was I! I interviewed three friends from different parts of the world whom I met through fashion classes at Accademia Italiana in Florence, Italy. All three girls are very interested in fashion and are continuing their fashion design studies in Florence. These girls represent the countries of Sweden, Bulgaria and Malaysia. They provided me with information on common attire worn in their country and how it differs from Italy and other parts of the world. Read on to become a little more cultured in the world of fashion!

Marielle is from Skövde, Sweden, and describes her personal style as a mix between bohemian, rock ‘n’ roll and minimalist.

Radoslava is from Plovdiv, Bulgaria, and says her personal style is ever-changing, “some days I will dress casual, with jeans and a t-shirt, and then I pull out the girly attire and wear a dress and heels."

Klobo is from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and describes herself as a “color freak,” with a love for blue and purple, hand-dyed colorful items, gradient prints and denim in purple, pink turquoise and yellow.

I asked the girls the same 5 questions and here are their responses:

What are some common fashions/styles you would see on the street in your hometown?

M: Minimalist, or very commercial/highstreet.

R: Mostly casual style, besides that some women love wearing more feminine clothes.

K: People mostly wear casual outfits. Blue denim and loose crop tops or blouses, along with short skirts and dresses in thin breathable, colorful fabrics.

Marielle describes her style as "bohemian,

rock 'n' roll & minimalist"

 Describe typical outfits people wear (students, professionals, etc.)

M: It’s all quite stereotypical in Sweden, quite casual but smart. Clean would be one way of describing it. Black jeans, black leather shoes and plain t-shirts.

R: Jeans and t-shirts, loose shirts with leggings, dresses and heels, or an a-line skirt and blouse.

K: The typical government workers are usually wearing shirts and slacks (men) while women wear traditional ‘baju kurung.’ Sometimes on Friday, depending on the company, they will wear ‘batik baju kurung’ or ‘batik shirt.’ The private sector workers wear a shirt, slacks and a blazer, while women wear work dresses or a power suit. Students at private schools usually dress more stylish because they are free to wear almost anything compared to public universities.

Radoslava enjoys dressing casual & girly

How do the men dress?

M: It’s quite androgynous. Female and male trends are similar and this equalness is trendy in Sweden.

R: The majority of men wear jeans and t-shirts or jeans and shirts.

K: Men dress casual too. Denim and tees, sometimes t-shirts, but on special occasions, such as weddings, they will wear traditional clothing called ‘baju melayu.’

How much of an influence does the weather have on what people wear?

M: Weather is ace, as soon as the sun is out people drop their layers and show skin even if it’s way too early in the season.

R: We enjoy four seasons of weather in Bulgaria – beautiful spring, dry and hot summer, long and pleasant autumn and cold and snowy winter. Lightweights are worn in summer. Warmer clothes are needed in winter and rainwear is recommended in autumn.

K: Malaysia has 365 days of summer and seasonal monsoon rain so weather very much affects what we wear because it is hot and humid. Depending on the situation, it’s very rare to see people wearing coats and jackets, unless you go to the capital where many people work in air-conditioned offices. 

Klobo expresses her style

through color

How would you compare the fashions of your country to Italy, other European countries or anywhere else you have been?

M: I’d say Scandinavia is more androgynous compared to the southern parts of Europe. In Italy it’s divided into masculinity and femininity. It’s two different fashions, whereas in Sweden everyone will wear baggy black t-shirts if it’s trendy at the time.

R: Compared to women in Italy, we love more feminine and elegant style.

K: Basically, what differentiates us from other countries, such as Europe or the West, is that people wear more colorful things because that is how we can spice up our fashion wardrobe. I noticed how people wear lots of black and neutral color here in winter and I will feel out of place because I will usually wear a red coat or yellow fur coat.


Anything you want to add about global fashion? What have you noticed about fashion differences from traveling or living abroad?