Irish national costume

Each nationality has its own traditional national costume. You won't find a single similar dress in the world. What is the national dress of the Irish?

The Irish national costume is one of those traditional variants of national clothing that causes a lot of controversy and doubt. In fact, for about 300 years there has been no such attire - this is history. In the modern world, it can only be found in various theatrical performances and as decorations for dancers performing folk dances.

The history of the formation of the national clothes of the people of Ireland can be traced back to approximately the 6th century. Initially, the Irish dressed in long linen shirts, over which they wore floor-length woolen cloaks of a spacious style. The main distinguishing feature of such raincoats is the presence of a voluminous hood.

Wealthier strata of society could afford to wear another shorter one over a long shirt. The second shirt was predominantly made of fine linen or even silk. A feature of the second shirt, which emphasized the status position of a person in society, is embroidery of varying complexity in the upper part of the garment. At the same time, the country had a ban on the free use of various color combinations in embroidery.Almost every Irishman was designated exactly which colors and in what quantity he can use in his robes.

Such a gradation directly depended on the position of a person in society, as well as on the type and scope of his activity. Accordingly, the clothes of rich people had brighter and more colorful elements that distinguished them from the rest of the mass.

As the centuries passed, the Irish costume became more European.

As a result of various changes that the national clothes of the native Irish have undergone, the traditional style of the national costume has been practically lost.

First, pants appear as the main element of the national costume. At the same time, they entered the life of the Irish thanks to navigators. Over time, the sweater has become another characteristic element of the Irish national costume. Its appearance, in fact, is due to the characteristic cool damp air and climate of this region. Sweaters of that time were white or gray, knitted by hand. Their distinguishing feature is braids in the form of arans. (from the name of the Aran Islands, since the history of these sweaters began precisely from these islands). Also, another feature of sweaters is the presence of ornaments containing in their design the initials or personal signs of the person who wore this type of clothing.

Irish culture and traditions came under the large-scale influence of European countries, in particular, the period of English rule in original Ireland played a special role.At that time, bans were introduced on various national elements that filled the culture and life of the indigenous population of Ireland. That is why, to this day, the Irish national costume has come in a completely different interpretation.

Now he was a more modern attire, characteristic of the general European style:

• plain kilt skirt (most often the skirt was made of orange fabrics);
• white or light shirt without a collar;
• warm loose or baggy sweater;
• an elongated jacket or jacket made of dense matter;
• large cloth beret.

At the same time, it is worth noting the fact that Irish clothes, which went down in history as a national costume, are characterized by the predominance of bright green.

Like any clothing, the traditional Irish national costume eventually divided into women's and men's styles.

Unfortunately, very little information has survived to this day regarding how authentically the outfits for women looked. There is an assumption that a bright green dress was an obligatory element of the women's costume. His style favorably emphasized the chest and waistline, and a flared skirt went down, which could be either just green or striped.

For men's attire, two sets of outfits were characteristic. The first option was a suit consisting of a jacket and trousers. Wearing a black tie was considered mandatory. And the second version of traditional clothing for Irish men was more extravagant, as instead of trousers, the Irish used striped or plaid kilt skirts.

The main colors of the national clothes of the people of Ireland are green, black and orange.

Today it is extremely difficult to meet a person in clothes that will be made in the style of the national Irish costume. This style is only clearly seen in modern theatrical studios and in dance groups, which mainly perform in the styles of step and keley. The peculiarity of the dancers' clothes is in the original combination of history, traditions, ethnic direction of style and modernity.

The dresses are decorated with colorful ethnic embroideries.

The men's suit is characterized by a tight jacket, a shirt in light pastel shades, a tie and a kilt skirt.