The variety of Ukrainian traditional belts and sashes used by men and women in the 19th – early 20th century is huge. There are folk belts to any taste and imagination – different sizes, widths, materials, and decorations. The most popular were hand-woven belts called “kraika”, wide fabric sashes, and decorative leather belts. Also, there was a tradition to belt the bride with a ceremonial cloth (similar cloths typically framed religious icons in Ukrainian houses). Here is a small collection of vintage folk belts and sashes from different regions of Ukraine.
Two women’s hand-woven belts called “kraika” tied one on top of the other. They’re from Ivano-Frankivsk region of Ukraine, Kolomyia district, the late 19th – early 20th century. The ends are adorned with cute tassels
Female festive hand-woven belt from Sumy region of Ukraine, Okhtyrka district, the late 19th – early 20th century. It is embellished with lovely floral pattern
Striking vintage women’s festive belt used by Crimean women, Crimea, the late 19th – early 20th century. It is adorned with artful silver filigree
Women’s vivid and festive fabric sash from Donetsk region of Ukraine, Kramatorsk district, the late 19th – early 20th century
Female hand-woven wide belt from Chernihiv region of Ukraine, Nizhyn district, the late 19th century. The belt is created in a single color, but the ends are adorned with tassels for decoration
Women’s festive sash, made in a beautiful green color, from Kyiv region of Ukraine, Fastiv district, the late 19th – early 20th century. It is also intricately tied
Long and narrow hand-woven belt from Odesa region of Ukraine, Podil district, the early 20th century. The pattern is lovely
Men’s festive wide hand-woven belt from Ternopil region of Ukraine, Chortkiv district, the early 20th century. It’s not very bright but looks masculine and elegant
Female wide hand-woven belt from Ternopil region of Ukraine, Chortkiv district, the early 20th century. Such a belt makes the waist look so narrow!
Women’s beautiful hand-woven belt from Khmelnytsk region of Ukraine, Kamianets-Podilskyi district, the early 20th century. The pattern is gorgeous!
Women’s bridal ceremonial cloth used as a belt at a wedding, Dnipropetrovsk region of Ukraine, Novomoskovsk district, the early 20th century. The cloth is hand-woven on a loom to create this bright pattern
Women’s wide hand-woven belt from Ivano-Frankivsk region of Ukraine, Verkhovyna district, village of Biloberizka, the 1920-1930s
Women’s narrow hand-woven belt from Volyn region of Ukraine, Kovel district, the early 20th century. The red & white color palette is very typical for this area
