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Russian National Costume
The traditional Russian costume emphasizes the Russian woman’s beauty, dignity and emotional restraint. The elegance and the beauty of the Russian costume are also added with comfort in wearing and convenience in working as it does not restrict the freedom of movement. The Russian woman costumes define the occasion, marital status, position in the society. However, the difference in the married woman and a young girl’s costume differs only in its color, design and decoration. The different colors of the costume signify their love for beauty and the ethnic diversity that exists in Russia.
The peasants of Russia used to wear homemade canvas and woolen cloths. These cloths were than embroidered or different woven pattern was used. The embroidery was also seen in different ornaments such as rhombuses, crosses, herring bones along with different color gamuts such as red, blue, green, white and yellow. Though there are social and territorial differences in Russia but the traditional costume much in common had to be put on as cape from the head. The soft silhouette cut down the Russian lady’s leg defined their light steps. The dress used to be wider on the sleeves till the lap and it was decorated with embroidery with silver or golden threads, fabrics, or fur.
Ages ago Russian woman used to wear headdress called “kokoshnik”, “rubushka shirt” made of fine linen, “sarafan” a beautiful dress which was embroidered in brocade or silk. The Northern districts of Russia the architecture and decoration were the modest whereas the Southern region ornaments where brighter with more colors. The whole ensemble was a product of every tiny detail that were taken care of. The waist belt was an indispensable part of it. Headwears were beautiful and lavish decorated with gold and pearls and divided into women’s and girl’s one. These costumes were both every day worn as well as for holidays. This shirt is worn with a trouser and the shirt is either tucked in the trouser or left loose. The linen trousers are also tucked in a leather boot. Sheepskin coat and hat was worn by men during winter. The Russian are known to wear a hat which covers their ear. This can be used to cover the ears or can be tied together on the top. These hats are known as “ushanka” and are made of sheep skin or rabbit fur.
The traditional dress for men is called “kosovorotka” which is a skewed collared shirt. The shirt is a straight cut which flows down the leg and has full sleeves. The shirt is decorated on the chest with embroidery which also is extended to the sleeve trim and the bottom of the shirt. The shirt can be worn with or without belt and the collar can be buttoned or left unbuttoned. “Rubashka” another traditional man wear for Russian is a beautiful calf length dress mostly made up of homespun linen. The costume is beautifully embroidered which gives it an ethnic look. Young unwed women wear rubaska alone but after marriage they wear it under a “sarafan”. Sarafan is a sleeveless costume and is like a full length jumper.
Five features of Russian national costume are:
- Kokoshnik
- Rubushka shirt
- Kosovorotka
- Sarafan
- Ushanka