Slovenian National Costumes

Posted by admin on May 2, 2012 in European | 0 comments

The history of the national costume of Slovenia is interesting and has undergone a lot of changes during the 19th century. The traditional dress for women was a shirt mostly white in color, a skirt, a headscarf, an apron, white shocks, a belt or sash. The costume design and linen was dependent on for whom it was made. The rich women used to wear gold-plated metal belt while those from poor families wore belt made of brass. They used to fasten their home key into these belts when they use to leave their home for work. They generally used to put the keys on their right hip so that they can easily open the door with their right hand. The dress included a shirt and skirt and fastened different colored apron. The costume may be sleeveless or with sleeves. The married women wore more luxurious head scarf called as “avba” whereas as young girls used to wear headscarf which was triangular in shape and had an embroidered band sewn into it and was called “zavijacka”. On the back of the avba used to be a large ribbon whose end used to fall freely at the back of the woman.

The Slovenian woman’s dress included a full gathered skirt which used to be ankle length. It bodice of the skirt used to be made of colorful pattern materials. On this was worn a black apron which was trimmed with black lace. Under the skirt is worn a underskirt, bloomers which are knee length, a white stockings till above the knees.  There were two types of shoes worn, either ankle length shoes with black laces or low shoes which are fastened with a strap or buckle. Around the shoulder a scarf is worn which is fastened in the front with the help of a pin. The women used to carry a wicker basket on which is written “IHS” in white, blue and red. They also had a white handkerchiefs tucked behind on to the belt.

The Slovenian costume of men comprised of a cardigan which was made up of velvet in the front and simple cotton at the back. The front used to be embroidered with floral patterns and the end in the buttonhole was tucked a chain at the end of which used to be a watch of gold or silver which extended up to the pocket. The buttons were made up of metal or rich used to wear silver buttons. They used to wear knee breaches which was usually made up of velured deer, cow leather, and have braces which was heavily embroidered. The pockets and horn buttons were also colorfully patterned.  These breeches can be worn with shirts which can be tucked in and also had long undergarment which was of unbleached cotton or linen. The men used to wear boots which reached up to their mid thighs and can be folded back to the knees. These were again patterned in the upper part of the boot. The hat included black felt which was decorated with “krivci” of which the most exquisite was feather of blackcock. These costumes were very costly also was a symbol of social status as well as wealth as it cannot be afforded by the poor.

The features of Slovenian national costume are:

• Avba
• Zavijacka
• Knee breaches made up of velured deer, cow leather
• Silver button
• Krivci