OT: clothing terms (was: Re: OT: CUNY...)

Irina Rempt wrote:

> On Thu, 7 Jun 2001, Yoon Ha Lee wrote:
>
> > ObConlang: Clothing terms in your conlangs?
>
> Surprisingly, I don't have many actual terms, though I've thought a
> lot about clothes in the culture.
The Tokana wear long loose-fitting cotton shirts open at the neck, and
either buckskin breeches (in wet or cold weather) or kilts/skirts made of
cotton (in dry warm weather).  Winter attire includes wool cloaks and
overcoats made of wool or llama skin.  Festival attire consists
principally of intricately embroidered vests (also made of wool or
leather) and elaborate jewellery.

There are few differences in attire between the sexes, although men's
shirts are either sleeveless or have their sleeves cut below the wrist,
while women's shirts generally have their sleeves cut above the wrist
(when a man wears a long-sleeve shirt cut above the wrist, it is
considered a sign of effeminacy).  Similarly, men's kilts tend to end
above the knee while women's skirts end below the knee.  In general,
men's clothing is more colourful than women's clothing, although the
elaborateness of one's dress correlates more with wealth and social
standing than with sex.

The word for "cloth, fabric, textile(s)" in Tokana is _mul_, and from
this are formed the words _emul_ "garment, article of clothing" and
_mulin_ "clothing (in general)".  Some other terms for articles of
clothing:

  ethiom    "vest, sleeveless shirt"
  halas     "ceremonial vest"
  pamul     "overcoat"
  pathok    "boots, overshoes"
  sipe      "breeches"
  thok      "shoes"
  thomi     "shirt"

Matt.

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