Estonian national costume

The national costume is part of the culture of every nation, and it has been formed for centuries. Estonia is no exception in this matter. The national Estonian costume reflects the peculiarities of folk life, its worldview, reflects the customs of this people and their artistic taste preferences.

The features of Estonian clothing became known already from archaeological excavations. The ancient attire of the Estonians, like any other people, did not differ in particular sophistication. These were ordinary shirts of a simple cut, which were sewn from canvas or woolen fabric, and had wide sleeves.

Women used a piece of dark, dense matter as a skirt, which was wrapped around the hips and tied with a simple belt.

The appearance of the men was even more unpretentious - a thick shirt, pants with a belt, and shoes - bast shoes or postols. The fabric for tailoring and its tailoring were produced in each family independently.

It should be noted that Estonian clothing fell under the influence of other states, and this could not but affect the cultural characteristics of Estonia itself. In particular, one can pay attention to the fact that the national dress of Estonia is in many ways similar to the outfits of Lithuania, Latvia, and Sweden.

Estonians endowed some elements of their national costume with miraculous powers.For example, the belt was supposed to give a person strength, promote good fertility. Therefore, its manufacture or choice was treated with particular reverence.

Due to the fact that the territory of Estonia was conditionally divided into several parts, the differences in the national dress of these regions were also obvious. There are 4 directions in the culture of the state:

• northern region;

• western region;

• South Region;

• island region.

National clothes in them are insignificant, but still differ from each other in composition, ornaments, colors.

Today, the national clothes of Estonians are no longer made by them at home, but are of factory origin. Particularly fascinating are the ornaments and embroideries that Estonians often make on their clothes by hand. Each symbol has its purpose and means something.

Also an integral part of Estonian folk clothing are its elements such as socks, gloves or mittens.

At this time, the Estonian national costume is experiencing its next revival, and is the pride of the nation. It is worn at the most important and solemn events.

The national dress of women in Estonia includes a long, free-cut shirt with puffy sleeves, over which a skirt or sundress was worn. An obligatory element of the outfit is a decorated or embroidered belt. On top of the skirt, with the help of a belt, a gaiter is attached, which is two pieces of fabric located at the level of the hips.

In cool weather, a woman can cover her shoulders with a special embroidered veil - a syba, or put on a long fitted caftan. Married women cover their heads in a special way with a folded towel or a special cap.

The national costume of men is less pretentious: loose-cut trousers, always belted with an original belt, a shirt decorated with ornaments and embroideries. A man's head is covered with small felt hats, and in the cold season - hats with earflaps sewn from natural fur.

Modern fashion designers have the opportunity to develop new models of elements of the Estonian national costume, applying modern fashion trends, including the play of colors, the use of different types of fabrics, but without violating the main idea of ​​the outfit.

A puffy skirt looks beautiful on a woman, made in black and red colors in combination with a white blouse with puffy sleeves and a red vest. An invariable element of the image is a belt embroidered with red threads. As a headdress, you can use a hat of an unusual cut. The presence of socks under light ballet flats is mandatory.

The Estonian national costume is an integral part of the culture of this people, which they carefully protect and preserve, thereby honoring their ancestors and the history of their nation as a whole. This deserves respect, because remembering your origin and respecting your ancestors, their way of life, cultural values ​​is the sacred duty of every person.