{{Short description|Traditional Cambodian blouse}}{{Italic title}}{{Infobox clothing type | name = Av Pak | image_file = Dresses_(6735161939)_(cropped)III.jpg | image_size = 195 | caption = ''Av paks'' in Central Market displayed alone & with ''sampots'' | type = Traditional shirt | material = Silk, cotton | location = Cambodia }} {{Contains special characters|Khmer}} '''''Av pak''''' ({{langx|km|អាវប៉ាក់}}, also pronounced a''ao pak'') is a traditional shirt featuring lace and/or embroidery that's worn by women in Cambodia for festivals and formal occasions.
== Etymology == ''Av pak'' literally translates to 'embroidery shirt'.
== History == The Khmer people consider the ''av pak'' to be a classic yet modern shirt which uses traditional Cambodian embroidery.{{Citation needed|date=May 2026}} Whereas the shirt's collar, sleeves, and necklines come in various fashions, the ''av pak'' is a normally form-fitted garment. ''Av pak'' is often paired with a ''sampot hol'' or ''sampot phamuong''. Some women might choose an ''av pak'' in white to visit pagodas but then go on to wear purple, red, or other bright colors for festivals.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Berthon |first1=Magali An |title=100 Fashion and Textile Terms in Khmer, English, and French|date=2025|pages=92 |url=https://cdnc.heyzine.com/files/uploaded/v3/f291ee6df7f14bb4918ee849caf20598817a34a3.pdf}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.khmertimeskh.com/76909/learn-make-av-pak/|title=Learn to Make Av Pak|website=khmertimeskh.com/|year=2017|author=Say Tola}}</ref>
==Gallery== <gallery> File:Khmerkebeya.JPG|Close-up of an ''av pak's'' embroidery. File:Dresses_(6735161939)_(cropped)II.jpg|''Av paks'' for sale at Central Market (Phnom Penh). Note the different lengths of sleeves in the top row and the spaghetti-straps and lack of sleeves on the ''av paks'' in the bottom row. File:Mrs._Bun_Rany_(cropped).jpg| ''Av pak'' with long sleeves worn by Mrs. Bun Rany. File:Khmerhokkienwedding_(cropped).JPG| Wedding party member wearing an ''av pak''. File:Cambodian_Couple_at_Angkor_Wat_(cropped).jpg| ''Av pak'' worn for pre-wedding photoshoot. </gallery>
==See also== * Khmer traditional dress * Culture of Cambodia
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *[https://khmerfashion.blogspot.com/search/label/Cambodian%20Traditional%20Dresses collection of Av Pak in various style]
{{Clothing}} Category:Cambodian clothing Category:Tops (clothing) Category:Embroidery