---
node: fashion_sukhothai
type: fashion
slug: sukhothai_kingdom_fashion
title: "Fashion in the Sukhothai Kingdom"
lead: "The Sukhothai Kingdom was the first Thai kingdom, and under a Theravada Buddhist culture a simple, graceful wrapped dress took form; both sexes wore the wrapped chong kraben or a skirt, with a shoulder cloth (sabai)."
published: 2026-07-28
updated: 2026-07-28
change: "Created as a fashion sub-page under the history section (thailand region)"
requester: internal
reason: "Per the owner's decision, fashion lives under each history era"
---

## Overview

In devoutly Theravada Sukhothai, dress too valued simplicity and grace.

## Key garments and style

Men wore the chong kraben — a length of cloth wrapped at the waist, passed between the legs and tucked at the back. Women wore a wrapped skirt (pha nung) with a sabai draped from breast to shoulder. The upper body was often lightly clad, with gold and shell ornaments; the graceful Buddha images of Sukhothai show its idealised form.

## Transition

In the Ayutthaya Kingdom, court dress grew more splendid with silk and gold cloth.