Everyday clothing across the Maldives today looks broadly modern and international, similar to much of South and Southeast Asia — but traditional garments still exist as part of ceremonial and cultural life, distinct from the beachwear and resort clothing most visitors actually see.
Libaas
The traditional dress historically worn by Maldivian women is known as libaas — a long garment, often with detailed embroidery around the neckline, historically a marker of both regional identity and, in some forms, social status.
Feyli
A traditional sarong-style wrapped garment, feyli, has historically been worn alongside libaas — together forming a traditional outfit rooted in the country's pre-modern dress customs.
Where you might still see it
Traditional dress is now largely reserved for cultural performances, ceremonial occasions and heritage-focused events, rather than everyday wear — a shift that mirrors broader modernisation trends seen across much of the region. It's a reasonable thing to notice if you attend a cultural night or festival (see our festivals & holidays guide), rather than something to expect as standard local dress.
What actually matters for visitors
For practical purposes, our religion & etiquette guide covers what's actually expected of visitors — modest dress on local islands, standard resort-wear norms on resort islands — which is a separate, more immediately relevant question than traditional Maldivian dress itself.