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Ukrainian vintage traditional belts and sashes. Pom-pons, woven patterns, prints, embroidery – artisans were so inventive!

Originally published 29 August 2023 · 2 min read
Ukrainian vintage traditional belts and sashes. Pom-pons, woven patterns, prints, embroidery – artisans were so inventive!

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

Ukrainian vintage traditional belts and sashes

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

Ukrainian vintage traditional belts and sashes

Ukrainian vintage traditional belts and sashes

Striking vintage women’s festive belt used by Crimean women, Crimea, the late 19th – early 20th century. It is adorned with artful silver filigree

Ukrainian vintage traditional belts and sashes

Ukrainian vintage traditional belts and sashes

Women’s vivid and festive fabric sash from Donetsk region of Ukraine, Kramatorsk district, the late 19th – early 20th century

Ukrainian vintage traditional belts and sashes

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

Ukrainian vintage traditional belts and sashes

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

Ukrainian vintage traditional belts and sashes

Long and narrow hand-woven belt from Odesa region of Ukraine, Podil district, the early 20th century. The pattern is lovely

Ukrainian vintage traditional belts and sashes

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

Ukrainian vintage traditional belts and sashes

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!

Ukrainian vintage traditional belts and sashes

Women’s beautiful hand-woven belt from Khmelnytsk region of Ukraine, Kamianets-Podilskyi district, the early 20th century. The pattern is gorgeous!

Ukrainian vintage traditional belts and sashes

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

Ukrainian vintage traditional belts and sashes

Women’s wide hand-woven belt from Ivano-Frankivsk region of Ukraine, Verkhovyna district, village of Biloberizka, the 1920-1930s

Ukrainian vintage traditional belts and sashes

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

Ukrainian vintage traditional belts and sashes