National costume of Karelians: description, photo

The national costume of Karelians is a matter still studied by historians who are guided by archaeological excavations and other sources of information. What in ancient times was the clothes of the people, whose number currently stands at about 60 thousand people (according to the data of the last census), is not known for certain. However, scientists managed to establish how his representatives dressed in the 18th century and later.

National costume of Karelians: materials

Clothing - especially designed for everyday wear - should not have embarrassed movements, it required convenience and simplicity. The national costume of Karelians was often created using the most accessible materials. Most people made a "foundation" on their own. To do this, sheep were planted, fields were sown with cannabis and flax.

The national costume of Karelians was often sewn using hemp thread, in particular, it concerned clothes for workers. Outer clothing was made of wool woolen fabrics with a linen base. The representatives of this people did not refuse from the factory materials, visiting fairs and shopping bazaars for the purchase of kumach, chintz.

The choice of the material from which the national costume of Karelians was made depended on the material situation of the person. Rich people often preferred expensive fabrics, using silk, brocade for sewing traditional clothes. Shoes were made from skins, they were also used to create hats, gloves.

How men dressed

If we compare the clothes of representatives of opposite sexes, the men's outfit lost to the woman in terms of originality. A shirts-kosovorotka, reminiscent of a tunic, ports, traditional belt - this was worn by the Karelian national costume. The photos show that they rarely forgot to supplement his headdress.

Representatives of the stronger sex wore shirts of two kinds. It could be a short shirt, made of linen, endowed with a stand-up narrow collar. Or a long version, which was worn out, got to the knees, made of homespun canvas. The pants did not differ in variety: narrow, cloth. Shirts were often supplemented with neck scarves.

The belts, which were an invariable part of the Karelian costume, were mostly made of leather, and could also be knitted. Men traditionally girded in two turns. Children's outfits were limited to shirts, the first pants teenager relied only after the first plot, he personally plowed.

What women wore

What does the national costume of Karelians look like for the fair sex? The ladies supplemented the traditional shirt with either a skirt or a sarafan. If he wore a sarafan, the belt hid under him. Refusing this element of the wardrobe was considered a bad sign - the belts for women served as original amulets, saving from demons. Dress was accepted to combine with an apron, which differed from it in color.

The set intended for a holiday looked a little different. In this case, the apron had ties, located on the back, and complemented by a bright ribbon. On it it was possible to understand whether the girl is married or is still in search of a mate. In the first case, this piece of material was tied in front, in the second - on the side.

When preparing the festive vestments, special attention was paid to the scarf. The accessory was created from expensive materials, was decorated with embroidery, there was no fringe. The thing pounced on the shoulders, the ends connected on the chest.

Special features of outerwear

What national costume did the Karelians "have for the street"? In most cases, such clothes were made from homespun cloth, canvas, fur was used. Kaftan was almost the same in both sexes. The back could be straight or cut, often had assemblies along the waist, on the back. The sleeves were mostly made long.

Fur coats were used most often in long trips. Models did not differ in variety: sheepskin coats or "to the waist". To create them, poor people used sheepskin, the rich preferred fur to hares, foxes. The buttons could be two or three.

In the cold season, woolen scarves and scarves were also used. Mittens were made of fur, leather, and mittens, knitted from sheep's wool, were also popular.

How Shoes Looked

Shoes - the element, without mentioning which can not fully characterize the national costume of the Karelians. Description of this part of the wardrobe should start with classic boots, which were made of rawhide. For such shoes was characterized by a lack of heels and a comfortable soft sole. Northern Karelians preferred fur models, noses were bent upward.

Typical work shoes - boots, called shoe covers. They differed by wide bootlegs, they were made mainly of leather. Birch bark was also very popular, especially if there was a "dirty" work. They were made without fasteners, resembling galoshes in appearance. Gradually, "home" products were replaced by factory models.

Headgear, decorations

Headgear - this is what the Karelian national costume did not imagine. Photos of classical variants differ in variety. Among the oldest headdresses can be mentioned a mosquito net, which was mostly worn before work in the forest. The product looked like a hood, it came from a white canvas.

In the cold months, men preferred hats made from hare or sheep's fur. Outwardly they looked almost like modern earflaps. Unmarried young ladies wore handkerchiefs, bandages, and the ladies who were married, adorned the heads with ponoyniki, topped with handkerchiefs. The decoration of the headdresses was paid special attention: pearls, pearls, embroidery were used.

Embroidery is one of the favorite methods of decorating clothes, which Karelians have been actively using from time immemorial. The motifs of the patterns were distinguished by majesty, solemnity. The craftsmen loved the images of fantastic animals and birds. Embroidery was used in the manufacture of shirts, sarafans, hats. Also, women did not limit themselves in traditional ornaments, choosing products made of pearls, gold, silver.

These are the main features that Karelian national costumes possessed.