Authentic clothing from northern Ukraine – bast shoes, woven aprons, and floral embroidery

Northern regions of Ukraine are a swampy woodland area. The lifestyle of local people differed a lot from those in other regions. For example, they traditionally used materials and food the forest gave them, while Ukrainians from other territories mostly survived from farming. Also, the local climate is a bit colder and more humid, with hordes of midge everywhere, so people often preferred to wear woven clothes and thicker fabrics. Their traditional footwear was bast shoes because birch, willow, or other tree bark was available in large quantities.

Here is a collection of vintage outfits from Chernihiv region (northern Ukraine), the end of the 19th – the beginning of the 20th century. These are exhibits in Kozelets Museum of the History of Weaving in the Chernihiv Region.

Traditional attire of bride and groom

Traditional attire of groom from northern Ukraine late 19th – early 20th century

Traditional attire of bride from northern Ukraine late 19th – early 20th century

Daily clothes of ordinary villager

Daily clothes of ordinary villager from northern Ukraine late 19th – early 20th century

bast shoes of ordinary villager from northern Ukraine late 19th – early 20th century

Festive attire of married woman

Festive attire of married woman from northern Ukraine late 19th – early 20th century

Festive outfit of married woman

Festive outfit of married woman from northern Ukraine late 19th – early 20th century

Festive costume of married woman

Festive costume of married woman from northern Ukraine late 19th – early 20th century

Festive clothing of married woman

Festive clothing of married woman from northern Ukraine late 19th – early 20th century