Abstract:
This paper explores the necessity to take further analytical reading of the critical issues of
hybrid male dress by using the knowledge on cultural authentication. Furthermore, paper this
examines how the elements of dress from one source culture and the receiving culture
merged. The study revealed how the process of cultural authentication incorporated into new
settings and how the elements of dresses transformed.
At a one moment fashions of dresses in society changed as Western and then appeared as
non-Western. Many scholars addressed this issue of arbitrariness of the Western and non-
Western categories of fashion. This revealed us the human societies are subjected to be
continuously receiving from each other stimuli incorporating social, cultural, economic and
political developments also internal and external influences that affect dress. This process
resulted in generating new hybrid clothing styles. Scholars also argued Western fashions of
dress are one of multiple global traditions that co-exist with long established cultural
traditions. It is seen that Sri Lankan fashion markedly affects contemporary fashions in
Western Europe.
A qualitative research method was adopted for the research. Sequence of observational
studies carried out with temple paintings, wood carvings, sculptures, cloth paintings and
ivory carvings. The literary data were gathered from many original documents. Validations of
data were much concerned.
Sri Lanka was first exposed to Western during early phase of the 16th century when the
Portuguese conquered the island. During this period the male dress fashion created a social
distinction within Sri Lanka. Inspiration and hybridization were part of the process by which
Western dress fashions and etiquette were adopted. Numbers of dresses were worn by the
King and elite male show changing repertoire of elegant hybrid fashion etiquettes.
