For the Dai people, clothing, which is seen as much more than just fabric, stands as a form of visual communication, it speaks in ways that reflect their beliefs, identity, and a strong bond to nature (Chen & Li, 2015). The shift of Totoro from a beast with animal fur to a figure that wears attire is not merely an issue of stylistic taste. It is an intersection, a form of crossover, between traditional culture and animation.
Dai traditional attire is extremely famous for its beauty and is designed with the hot and humid weather of the region, especially Yunnan, in mind. Women's clothing usually involves blouses that fit closely to the body and long skirts that flow and move, giving a sense of grace when worn. The blouses could be short-sleeved or even sleeveless. As for the men’s clothing, it is less complicated but still carries the same flowing style, and often, a sash or belt is worn with it.
As for men's clothing, the most obvious features are their belts and turbans. The belts can symbolize social status, and its intricate design was once reserved for the nobility. It also marks a boy's transition to manhood and symbolizes responsibility. The symbols found in the cloth, such as the elephant, to symbolize immortality, or the peacock feather for beauty, are a legacy of cultural heritage (Li & Yu, 2023). As a symbol of love, the belt can be present in courtship, carefully embroidered to convey the deepest love. Even how the sash is knotted is spiritually symbolic to represent the Buddhist concept of non-attachment.
The headband is more than just a head covering, it symbolizes identity, spirituality, and tradition. The first headband ceremony symbolizes the boy's growth into a man. The elders taught him the correct bandaging techniques (Zeng, 2019). Spiritually, the round shape symbolizes unity, while the colors convey meaning: white stands for purity and dark for marital status. It can block the sun, absorb sweat, and carry small items. During festivals such as Songkran, the headscarves are displayed in all their glory, decorated with silver needles or flowers.