Puletasi

Traditional item of clothing worn by Samoan, Tongan, and Fijian women

The puletasi (Samoa) or puletaha (Tonga) is a traditional item of clothing worn by Samoan, Tongan, and Fijian women and girls. Today, puletasi is used as a female full dress. It is most commonly worn to church and formal cultural events.^[1]

The puletasi is a two-piece outfit with a skirt and a top, either with both pieces in the same fabric or as a plain skirt and patterned top.^[2] The skirt is usually a wrap skirt or 'ie lavalava, with ties around the waist.^[3] For formal occasions or performance, decorations of tapa cloth, woven flax or other material may be layered around the waist over the skirt.^[4] In recent years, different styles and improvisations have been added.

References

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^ "Cultural Practices and Protocols" (PDF). Ministry for Pacific Peoples. Retrieved 12 Nov 2021.
^ Mallon, S. (2002). Samoan Art and Artists. A latitude 20 book. University of Hawaii Press. p. 187. ISBN 978-0-8248-2675-8 . Retrieved 25 January 2020.
^ "Puletasi". Te Papa Tongarewa Museum of New Zealand. Retrieved 2021年11月12日.
^ de Pont, Doris (Nov 2019). "The Gentle Wrap". New Zealand Fashion Museum. Retrieved 12 Nov 2021.