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>> Q&A about History & Culture
 Subject: |
Traditional Greek costumes |
| Question: |
I was recently at a Greek festival and saw some wonderful Greek dancers. I'm writing a short story and would like to name the costume items correctly. I've scoured the Internet and have not had a bunch of luck. I'm thinking the costume in my story may not be totally traditional. It was worn by a young girl and I've included names that I've found that sound similar to what I saw. From head to toe: she had a headband made of gold coins, a long white chemise-type dress (poukamiso?). Over the dress was a long gold apron (bodia?). Over the apron was a light blue velvet long-sleeved jacket (mindani?). She wore white stockings and soft gold slippers. Thanks so much for any information! |
| Answer: |
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Different places in Greece have different traditional costumes. The great variety of Greek costumes is the result of many factors: geographical (island- inland), socioeconomic, (urban centres-villages), age and sex, as well as family situations (married life, widowhood, maternity).
The basic elements that comprise the traditional female costume are the shirt, skirt, cloak, girdle, apron, head covering, ornaments, stockings and shoes. The corresponding male costume consists of shirt, breeches or foustanella, waistcoat, head covering, ornaments, stockings and shoes.
One of the most popular male costumes is the Tsolias:
After the liberation of Greece, in the first Quarter of the 19th century, all male costumes in Peloponnese took the form of the "fustanella".
The costume is composed from a skirt (foystanella), cotton shirt (poykamisa), a vest (gileko), woolen felt trousers and belt, elastic cotton knee bands and shoes called tsaruxia.
In the region of Amphissa and Distomothe womens costume consists of: a white dress,(foystani), a decorated white wool sleeveless vest (gileko), a gold decorated apron (podia), and a white head kerchief (mandili). |
answer provided by volunteer expert: 24 |
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