As the clothing and body adornments of the Kuna are all handmade, usually by the wearer, the affect created by an artfully assembled and constructed outfit is a testimony to each woman's expertise in sewing and her commitment to Kuna ideals. Attention to appearance and wearing traditional dress is then a way for the Kuna to uphold community values and to bring pride to their families. When the Kuna met European traders in the mid 1800s, they began to create clothing that featured designs sewn onto brightly colored fabrics imported from Europe and the Americas. Other imported items, such as scissors, thread, and sewing needles offered the Kuna women new opportunities to express themselves through more complex clothing designs. In that way, molas are best understood by examining them in the context of a complex and socially important clothing system.
Young girls learn the art of dressing at an early age.
The traditional outfit consists of a wrap skirt of brightly printed fabric, beaded leg and arm bands, many necklaces, a mola blouse, and a bright head scarf. Nose rings and short haircuts are also traditional ways to make oneself more beautiful, according to the Kuna. In fact, noses are an especially important aspect of Kuna beauty, and many women and young girls accentuate this facial element with a line of paint. Mola blouses, the most distinct part of the costume, are made from two large mola panels that circle the torso and a bright fabric that creates the sleeves and yoke. The Kuna value originality in design, and each mola reflects their interest in pursuing personal creativity within a cultural artform.