Photo by Huyan Shuo / China Daily

The clothes typically feature abundant colors and assorted styles with pictorial designs on the fabric. Subtle variations in such things as hats' shapes and embroidered patterns reveal the owner's community of origin.

Young women from the Hualan Yao branch wear more than 10 articles of clothing, with lots of embroidery on hems and sleeves. Orange decorative designs contrast sharply against the indigo cloth.