Opasek, chimir, cheres – striking wide and ornate highlander’s belt in the Carpathian mountains
These beautiful and functional broad leather belts were used throughout the Carpathian area in several countries – Poland, Slovakia,…
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977 articles about clothing, craft, and tradition.
Indian choli blouse – probably the most feminine and attractive female blouse ever
Indian national attire, in general, is one of the most beautiful, feminine, and even sexy (in a good way) outfits around the world. Not…
Panamanian pollera blanca or white pollera — exquisite and expensive traditional dress
The traditional attire of Panamanian women called “la pollera” is one of the most beautiful, flamboyant, and elaborate folk dresses around…
Balteus – traditional belt used to suspend a sword during ancient Roman times
A balteus (plural baltei) is a very specific style of a belt. It was used by the Roman legionnaires to suspend a sword. But it wasn’t just…
Pearls throughout centuries. Magnificent jewelry with pearls
During thousands of years, people have been using pearls to create beautiful jewelry pieces. These white round balls stir up adoration and…
Renaissance wedding fashion. First white wedding gowns appeared in 16th-century Italy, not 19th-century England
In the Renaissance era, a wedding was the only time when a woman was truly seen by society. Not veiled or cloaked, not modestly covering…
Movie costume of Rhaenyra Targaryen from House of the Dragon, prequel to Game of Thrones. Why gold jewels instead of usual Targaryen silver?
This is another analysis of the stage costumes of the House of the Dragon series, a prequel to the Game of Thrones series, expected to…
This is the only garment worn by Elizabeth I that survived until our days
In Great Britain, a stunning piece of vintage royal clothing was found. It is the one and only dress of Elizabeth I (ruled England in…
Ukrainian kersetka – extraordinary garment that fitted pregnant and not pregnant women perfectly at the same time
In Ukrainian traditional costume, there is a garment with the most perfect design ever. It is a bodice called “kersetka” or “korsetka”, and…
Taizhou mummy dated Ming Dynasty shows us accurate 700-year-old Chinese clothing
This exceptional mummy from China accidentally found by road workers is unique because there are very few mummies around the world…
History of Japanese national apparel. What did the Japanese wear before kimono?
Today, everyone knows that a kimono is a traditional costume in Japan. It’s hard to find a person who has never seen a kimono at least in…
Hand fans in the 19th – early 20th century. The beauty of clothing accessories
For hundreds or even thousands of years, people used hand fans to cool themselves, and thus, cope with hot weather. Some hand fans are real…
Romanian embroidery and female traditional clothing from Transylvania
In Romania, the art of embroidery is preserved until today, just like in many Slavic countries. And there are a lot of craftswomen who…
Krysania – fancy traditional felt hat of Hutsuls in Carpathian Ukraine
One of the most famous subethnic groups of Ukrainians is Hutsul people. They live in a certain area in the Carpathian Mountains and have an…
Ukrainian 100-year-old male and female headdresses – the variety of designs and shapes is so wide!
For many centuries, Ukrainians (and people of the Kyivan Rus’ before them, Slavic tribes before them, and Scythian and Sarmatian tribes…
Authentic embroidery patterns in Kazakhstan
The craft of embroidery is widespread throughout the planet. Practically every ethnic group traditionally uses needlework to embellish…
Latvian Lielvārde sash or josta – woven belt iconic in Latvia
This hand-woven belt is very symbolic and sacred in Latvia. From just a regional item of clothing, it turned into Latvian national symbol,…
History of textile. What fibers were used throughout millennia to make fabric?
Our ancestors learned how to make fabric long ago. Of course, they produced only natural fabrics, but if you think they couldn’t make…
Top-10 cute and weird medieval headdresses
Headdresses were used by people in all times. Some of them were ordinary-looking, while others amazed you with their shape, size, material,…
Egyptian tunic from the 7th-8th century. Process of conservation at the V&A
This article will shed some light on the work of museum conservators. Particularly, we’ll talk about an 8th-century Egyptian tunic…
Variety of Ukrainian traditional aprons. Woven and embroidered aprons with lovely patterns
A lot of female folk costumes in Ukraine included an apron. It was a festive piece of clothing, a handy garment that protected the skirt…
Folk costume glossary. Palestine
Traditional pieces of the male and female national costumes in Palestine: abaya, bisht, burnous, bushnika, damer, dimaya, hata wi ‘agal,…
Traditional gold jewelry technique: granulation. From Sumer to modern days
Granulation is a very old jewelry making technique. It was possibly invented in Sumer 5,000 years ago and is still used today. Basically,…
Folk costume glossary. Lebanon
Traditional pieces of the male and female national costumes in Lebanon: abaya, abba, agal, gambaz, jubbe, kabkab, kaffia, kubran, labbade,…