Folk Costumes of Slavic People

          Some time ago I went to see the exhibition called "Folk Costumes of Slavic People" in the State Etnographic Museum in Warsaw. It wasn't big. It included only seventeen pieces but I spent almost two hours there. It's nothing new that I am a clothes maniac. I'm not only interested in the recent trends, like all those fashion victims - I'm maniac of a all kinds of clothes. I like the history of fashion. The past, when clothes were much more meaningful. When every single piece, every lace or embroidery symbolized something. The ethnology isn't my strong point but I think I know enough to guess some influences which you can see on each costume. It makes this exhibition even more fascinating.

          All of them are beautiful but my favourites are definitely the Russian ones. The richest, covered with gold and made of heavy materials. I also like the Ukrainian and Belarusan ones, with this specific embroidery on the sleeves. Polish ones aren't bad too. 

          I really tried to fight the glass reflections but I failed. Well, someone who was responsible for the lighting should be hung because I could barely see the costumes sometimes. Hope you enjoy it anyway. Read the exhibit description below. You can enlarge the photos if you want to see more details. 

          All photos by Mad Alice.

Hutsul woman's costume, Ukraine, middle of the 19th c. 

Strój huculski kobiecy, Ukraina, połowa XIX w. 

Ukrainian woman's costume, Poltava Region, Ukraine, early 20th c. 

Strój ukraiński kobiecy, obwód połtawski, Ukraina, paczątek XXw. 

Belarusian maid's costume, Klimovitchi Region, Belarus, late 19th c. 

Strój białoruski dziewczęcy, region klimowicki, Białoruś, koniec XIX w.

Slovakian man's costume, Podivin, Slovacko Region, Moravia, Czech Republic, middle of the 19th c. 

Strój męski ze Slovacko, Podivin, region Slovacko, Morawy, Czechy, połowa XIX w. 

Polish woman's costume, Kujawy Region, Poland, middle of the 19th c. 

Strój kujawski kobiecy, okolice Włocławka, Polska, połowa XIX w. 

Cracovian man's costume, Proszowice village, Małopolska Region, Poland, middle of the 19th c. 

Strój krakowski męski, Proszowice, region małopolski, Polska, połowa XIX w.

Russian woman's costume, Nizhny Novgorod Oblast, Russia, middle of the 19th c. 

Strój rosyjski kobiecy, obwód niżnonowogrodzki, Niżny Nowogród, Rosja, połowa XIX w.

Russian woman's costume, Oloniec Region, Russia, middle of the 19th c. 

Strój rosyjski kobiecy, region ołoniecki, Rosja, połowa XIX w.

Russian man's costume, Tula Oblast, Russia, middle of the 19th c. 

Strój rosyjski męski, obwód tulski, Rosja, połowa XIX w.

Russian woman's costume, Voronezh Oblast, Voronezh, middle of the 19th c. 

Strój rosyjski kobiecy, obwód woroneski, Woroneż, połowa XIX w. 

Bulgarian woman's costume, Tyrnovo Region, Bulgaria, iddle of the 19th c. 

Strój bułgarski kobiecy, region Tyrnowo, Bułgaria, połowa XIX w.

Macedonian woman's costume, Smilevo village, Bitola Region, Macedonia, middle of the 19th c. 

Strój macedoński kobiecy, wieś Smilevo, region Bitola, Macedonia, połowa XIX w.

Montenegrian man's costume, Montenegro, middle of the 19th c. 

Strój męski czarnogórców, Czarnogóra, połowa XIX w. 

Serbian man's costume, Bukovica village, Dalmatia Region, Croatia, middle of the 19th c.

Strój serbski męski, wieś Bukovica, Dalmacja, Chorwacja, połowa XIX w. 

Croatian woman's costume, Karlovac Region, Croatia, middle of the 19th c.

Strój chorwacki kobiecy, region Karlovac, Chorwacja, połowa XIX w.

Slovenian bridesmaid's costume, Carinthia Region, Austria, middle of the 19th c.

Strój słoweński dziewczęcy, strój druhny, Karyntia, Austria, połowa XIX w.

Slovenian best man's costume, Carinthia Region, Austria, middle of the 19th c.

Strój słoweński męski, strój drużby, Katyntia, Austria, połowa XIX w.