The dress of the women of the higher classes does not in fashion differ essentially from that of the lower orders, but the articles are of finer texture and better quality, and gold studs and rings, ornamented with coloured and precious stones, are substituted for those of copper and brass. Both men and women of condition wear sandals, shoes, or slippers in the house; and in the European districts, the Regent and other chiefs, when in attendance on the public officers, on journeys or otherwise, usually superadd to the native dress tight cloth or nankeen pantaloons, with boots and spurs, according to the European fashion.
It is difficult to estimate with precision the value of the dress of the higher orders. That of an ordinary petty chief and his wife costs about fifty Spanish dollars, or between twelve and thirteen pounds sterling, including the _siri_ box, which is a necessary appendage. The _siri_ box of the man is termed _epok_, that of the woman _chepúri_.
Neither men nor women cut their hair, but allow it to grow to its natural length: in this they differ from the _Maláyus_ and _Búgis_, who always wear it short. The men, except on particular occasions, gather it up on the crown of the head, twist it round, and fasten it by means of a semicircular tortoise-shell comb fixed in front; but among the higher classes, it is considered a mark of the greatest respect to let it flow in curls in the presence of a superior. The princes and chiefs at the native courts usually confine it on the neck, and allow it to descend down the back in large curls; but in _Chéribon_ and the _Súnda_ districts, the chiefs, on occasions of ceremony, let their locks flow in curls and ringlets loose over their shoulders. The women confine their hair by gathering and twisting it into one large _glúng_ or knot at the back of the head, in the manner of performing which there are several modes, distinguished by as many names. The short down encircling the forehead is sometimes cut or shaved, to give the brow a better defined appearance, when the hair is combed back, and on particular occasions the fine hair in the same place, which is too short to be combed back and gathered in the knot, is turned in small curls like a fringe. All classes, both of men and women, apply oils to their hair. The women frequently use scents in dressing it, and on state days ornament it with a great variety of flowers, diamond-headed pins, and other jewellery. Both sexes perfume their persons with different species of fragrant oils, as the _láng'a chandána_ (sandal-wood oil), _láng'a kanáng'a_, _láng'a gáru_, _láng'a gandapúra_, and _láng'a jerú_, and adorn the skin with a variety of powders called _bóré_; as the _bóré kúning_ (yellow powder), _bóré érang_ (black), _boré sárí_, and _boré k'lambak_. To these may be added the general use of musk, termed by them _dédes_. In the houses of the higher orders, _dúpa_ or incense of benjamin, and other odoriferous gums, is generally burnt.