This traditional Karen Purse was handmade by women helped by Bloom International in Thailand.

Karen people wear clothes that don’t reveal too much of their skin. It is an expression of respect to their community and surroundings.

Women usually wear clothes with short sleeves that cover their shoulders and skirts or shorts that extend below their knees. At specific places such as schools, offices, and churches, women should always wear skirts or surround below their knees and lower.

Traditional clothing incorporates rich hues of red or blue woven into shirts and dresses. Weaving is an important folk art in Karen culture. Back in refugee camps, women often weaved in order to make money to buy food and school supplies for their children. They made woven scarves, shirts and bags. Weaving is an art the Karen value and teach to their children and the generations after.