Greek National Costume

Posted by admin on Dec 7, 2011 in European | 0 comments

Prehistoric Byzantine and Hellenic Greek clothes were radiant and movable, manufactured from wool or linen. Materials were arranged in flexible folds and creases, with surplus cloth folded above the top and grasped with attractive pins, later substituted by brooches. Armed forces from the Greek Battle of Liberty wore a similar type tunic beneath their metal and leather shield. Beginning of contemporary traditional folkloric and armed outfit can be easily traced to the 6^th century B.C. The pallid pleated skirt or “foustanella” that gets to the knees is based on the “chiton,” a baggy draped skirt of Ancient Greece which was fixed at the waist. However, Pavlos Melas was a Hellenic Army commander who fought for the liberty of Macedonia, the northern area of Greece, against the Ottoman kingdom. The costume worn by the Greek soldiers were called as “Pavlos Melas” in admiration of their commander. The conventional Pavlos Melas outfit has gone through little minor alterations in its specification and width since its beginning. The Evzones, Greece’s Presidential sentinel, have worn the foustanella and even the red fez or “fesi” ever since 1837 as their conventional customs. 

The clothes are worn in the main Balkans, chiefly in the northern area of Greece of Macedonia however also found in the mainland and middle Greece from the remote north area of Romania into the eastern part of Syria. The 400 creases represent the years throughout which Greece was actually under Ottoman Empire, whereas the red fez is a remainder of the Turkish rule. King Otto in Greece produced the dress as the official court dress in the middle of 19th century. The statistically engraved woollen top or “fermeli” extends in the front and is produced from panels in blue, maroon or black that dangle from the rear side. Beneath, a white chemise with extended sleeves is actually worn along with a sash that covers around the waist. However, legs are wrapped in white coverings, identical to stockings known as “kaltses“, that are held in position with suitable leg garters. Men wear shoes called “tsarouhia,” ornamented with pompons. On the head is the red fez, decorated with a black fringe that dangles from the coronet. Nowadays, folk dancers put the conventional Pavlos Melas outfit when performing, to articulate not only general pride but chronological significance when the dance narrates historical occasions. The maroon shade of the shirt is actually worn by the Commander of the Guard.

The Pavlos Melas is the authorized contemporary military uniform of the Evzones. Each Sunday, on particular events and at other public occasions, they wear conventional clothes while shielding the Tomb of Unknown Warrior in Athens. As individuals of many cultures, Greeks tend to wear diverse types of clothes for different events. Contemporary clothing is usually modish and traditional. Traditional clothes are covered and colourful. Greeks residing in the city are very fashion-conscious and tend to imitate trendy European fashions. Clothing is light-weight yet traditional, and it is not strange to notice Greeks in Athens actually wearing stylish clothes.

Features of Foustanella dress:

• White plain shirt
• Black or red hat
• Cotton made
• Attractive embroidery
• Soft texture