What Kind of Clothing Do Haitians Wear?

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Haitians wear a variety of clothing, though much of it comes to them secondhand in this country, one of the poorest in the world, according to Notre Dame Magazine and the University of Vermont.

Poverty

Secondhand clothing constitutes the majority of clothing options for the poor and is often ill-fitting. Much of this clothing comes in the form of donations from other countries.

Women

Women are allowed to wear pants but traditionally wear skirts or dresses. This is especially true in rural areas.

Men

Men wear loose shirts known as guayaberas. These look much like the clothing worn in other nearby countries. Most clothing is lightweight, constructed from cotton or linen.

Children

Schoolchildren wear uniforms, although many families in Haiti cannot afford to send children to school. Babies may wear nothing and many young boys make do without shirts.