Embroidery is stitching its way into Bhutanese fashion, blending tradition with a modern twist. Vibrant Bhutanese symbols and intricate floral patterns now adorn tegos and wonjus, offering a fresh take on timeless attire. While the trend is gaining popularity, Bhutanese etiquette specialists note that as long as the essence of how these garments were traditionally worn remains intact—especially excluding embroidered Buddhist symbols—this evolving style stays respectfully rooted in its heritage.
Tego and wonju are getting a modern makeover, offering both style and convenience.
Now available in an attached form, the hassle of wearing a separate wonju is a thing of the past.
With intricate Bhutanese symbols and textile patterns embroidered on the sleeves and neck of the tego, customers can enjoy a seamless, fashionable look.
Shop owners say these designs are tailored to meet the growing demand for both tradition and comfort in everyday wear.
Tshewang Dorji, a shop owner said “Though our fabrics are mostly imported from India, they come without patterns. The embroidery work I do features all Bhutanese symbols. By doing this, I hope to uplift our culture, though the primary reason is for business. As a tailor, I got the idea from this.”
Deki Zangmo, a dealer said “Customers are happy with the product. We have also sent a few pieces to Australia. I’m not sure how the business will progress from here.”
Meanwhile, the etiquette specialist at the Department of Culture and Dzongkha Development advises against using sacred symbols such as the dragon and wheel of dharma in embroidery.
Jigme Yoezer, the etiquette specialist at the Department of Culture and Dzongkha Development added that “Embroidering of eight lucky signs and seven jewels on tegos is not acceptable as it is used as an offering to the Buddha. It is not advisable to use those symbols on tegos and washed here and there. If other symbols are done properly and according to the origin, without losing the way it is worn, then it is acceptable.”
He added that wearing a wonju attached to a tego is acceptable, as long as the traditional folding of the wonju on the neck and sleeves is maintained.
“The one we wear from inside our gho is called tego. Like wearing gong on the neck and lagay on the sleeves separately, without going against our culture, it is acceptable for women to also wear it that way.”
Elders BBS spoke to said that the originality of the tego and wonju, along with the traditional way of wearing them, has remained intact.
According to them, the practice of wearing a wonju attached to a tego existed in the past but gradually faded away before making its recent resurgence.
As per Bhutanese etiquette, wearing tego shows a women’s humility and respect. Folding wonju on the neck and sleeves shows that a woman will raise others with compassion.
Jigme Yoezer, the etiquette specialist said “Wonju sleeves should be folded to the length of four fingers and two fingers length on the neck.”
In the past, tego and wonju pieces were mostly imported from India, Nepal, Thailand, and Vietnam. Today, Japanese kimonos and Indian saris are also designed and sewn into tego and wonju.
Bhutanese hand woven tegos have also gained popularity in the recent times.
Tashi Chezom
Edited by Sherub Dorji
