kmai style

As an English teacher Volunteer in Cambodia, I go through several phases of outfits each day.  These usually correspond to the two or three showers I take each day, which most Khmer people will tell you is a necessity when you live in a tropical (read: hot and humid, every day) climate.

It's been interesting getting used to the idea and then the physical reality of sweating through layers of shirts and clothing items each day.  I used to think I was gross when I sweat through my armpits while teaching in America.  Now I realize I didn't understand true sweating until I had sweat running down my thighs and creating large sweat circles on my back on a daily basis.

So, for your leisurely Monday morning perusing, a walk through my daily styles.

Let's start with a typical work outfit.  A sampot (a long skirt that folds and secures via a metal clasp on my hip) and a shirt I've had made here for six dollars.  

Let's take a little closer look at that Khmer style shirt, and admire those poofy sleeves and RUFFLES. I'm kind of a ruffle whore now?  As in, why would I purchase a hand made shirt without ruffles now?  I'm pretty sure I'm going to bring ruffles back to the United States.  They were absolutely a thing at J. Crew a few years ago, and I think it's time they return.

When I'm not working, but I want to still be seen in public, I adorn a variety of more casual yet still modest clothing, most especially my jersey gaucho-ish pants I brought in three colors from the U.S.  

When I'm bumming around the house though, I'll usually go for one of two looks.  Here you'll see a slightly more appropriate/I could still talk to our host family without too many looks outfit, though I'll admit, I more often wear a tank top with one of the shorter sleep shorts I brought with me. HELLOPASTYWHITETHIGHS.

Ah, yes, and then the sarong.  Used for toweling off, walking around and generally anything.  Usually worn as a skirt by Khmer women when they arrive home to cook or clean, though I prefer to pair it with a tank top, usually secured just below the chest.

Quite exciting, no?

I'm pretty sure it'll be an adjustment when I return to 'merica and will be expected to embrace my plain ole pencil skirts and cottony blouses.

Damn, I miss pencil skirts.