---
node: fashion_sa_inca
type: fashion
slug: inca_empire_fashion
title: "Fashion in the Inca Empire"
lead: "In the Inca Empire, cloth was the highest wealth and power itself: men wore the tunic (unku), women a wrapped dress fastened with large pins (tupu), and the finest cumbi cloth was state-controlled treasure that the ruler gave as gifts."
published: 2026-07-28
updated: 2026-07-28
image_file: inca_empire_fashion.jpg
image_source: "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tupa-inca-tunic.png"
image_author: "Inca all-tocapu tunic (uncu), 15th–16th c"
image_license: "Public domain"
change: "Created as a fashion sub-page under the history section, with a period image (south_america region)"
requester: internal
reason: "Per the owner's decision, fashion lives under each history era"
---

## Overview

In the Inca realm that ruled the Andes, cloth was wealth greater than money, and dress mirrored the order of the empire.

## Key garments and style

Men wore the square unku tunic, women a wrapped dress (aksu) fastened with tupu pins under a mantle (lliclla). The finest vicuña wool and cumbi cloth were offered to the ruler and the gods, and standardised designs (tocapu) marked rank and role, as did headdresses and ear ornaments.

## Transition

When Spain conquered in 1533, Inca dress was gravely damaged and Western clothing was layered over it.