Dressing Etiquette

Palauan women, like their males, have traditionally gone topless. As costumes, they only wore a two-piece skirt and a few garlands. Today, some local women still dress traditionally, though more covered and conservative styles of modern clothing have found their way into their culture, particularly with the influx of tourists. Palau is a tropical island where the dress code is very relaxed. With very few exceptions, T-shirts, shorts, and flip-flops or rubber slippers are always appropriate. A polo shirt, aloha shirt, or blouse will usually suffice for those who want to dress up.

The most important branch of the fiber industry is the production of 'kariuth,' or women's skirts. They make up the majority of women's clothing. They are made in a variety of patterns that are distinguished by their appropriateness as well as the quality of the work. In this regard, they far outperform comparable products from other Pacific islands previously known. Palauans have special costumes that they wear for important ceremonies or special occasions.