Clothes in RussiaClothes in Russia

It was believed that women’s hair hid It was believed that women’s hair hid some magic. It was a big sin if a some magic. It was a big sin if a married woman showed even a small married woman showed even a small part of their hair to other people. part of their hair to other people. Young girls were not obliged to wear Young girls were not obliged to wear any hats.any hats.

For all people both rich and poor the For all people both rich and poor the Russian shirt was the most important Russian shirt was the most important in their clothes. It was worn by in their clothes. It was worn by everybody:everybody: girls and boys, young girls and boys, young people, men and women. They people, men and women. They differed only in style and decorating. differed only in style and decorating.

On woman’s legs in the picture you On woman’s legs in the picture you can see some bast shoes, can see some bast shoes, laptilapti, , which were worn over homespun which were worn over homespun onuchionuchi -- narrow strips of cotton narrow strips of cotton wrapped around the lower leg.wrapped around the lower leg.

The custom to wear a shawl is an ancient The custom to wear a shawl is an ancient one. one.

They were worn not only to make a woman They were worn not only to make a woman beautiful. They protected them from cold.beautiful. They protected them from cold.

In the 18th century ladies determined the In the 18th century ladies determined the fashion. Their outfits were brought from fashion. Their outfits were brought from Paris and London. The girl in the picture is Paris and London. The girl in the picture is only 5. It was common for children to only 5. It was common for children to wear the same style of clothing as their wear the same style of clothing as their parents.parents.

Peasant children went barefoot Peasant children went barefoot or wore laptior wore lapti

The sarafan was either a sleeveless The sarafan was either a sleeveless dress or a high skirt with stripes. dress or a high skirt with stripes. Girls and young women wore it in the Girls and young women wore it in the 1818thth century. century.

The word sarafan came to Russia The word sarafan came to Russia from Persia and it was initially the from Persia and it was initially the name for men’s clothing. The same name for men’s clothing. The same name began to characterize the name began to characterize the clothes for women a bit later.clothes for women a bit later.

Usually sarafans were decorated Usually sarafans were decorated with embroidery and were put with embroidery and were put over a shirt. In northern regions over a shirt. In northern regions ornaments usually represented ornaments usually represented birds and animals.birds and animals.

The major item of Russian clothes for The major item of Russian clothes for men and women was a large shirt. It men and women was a large shirt. It touched the body of the person touched the body of the person wearing it, that is why there was a wearing it, that is why there was a particular attitude towards it. particular attitude towards it.

If a wicked stranger pronounced If a wicked stranger pronounced some evil words over the shirt, the some evil words over the shirt, the master of the clothes could fall ill. If master of the clothes could fall ill. If one said something good before one said something good before setting out on a journey, there was setting out on a journey, there was nothing to be worried about.nothing to be worried about.

The most popular women’s headgear The most popular women’s headgear was of course the was of course the kokoshnikkokoshnik. It’s . It’s name derives from the term name derives from the term “kokosh” which in all slavic “kokosh” which in all slavic languages means “hen” or “rooster”. languages means “hen” or “rooster”.

Very often it was even more Very often it was even more expensive than a cow, as it was expensive than a cow, as it was sewed from expensive materials, sewed from expensive materials, such as silk and satin.such as silk and satin.

Embroidery was done with golden Embroidery was done with golden and silver threads, plus, the and silver threads, plus, the kokoshnik was decorated with pearls.kokoshnik was decorated with pearls.

The shape of The shape of kokoshniks kokoshniks might be might be differentdifferent

Women tried to preserve the Women tried to preserve the headdresses’ beauty and carefully headdresses’ beauty and carefully passed it on from generation to passed it on from generation to generation.generation.

Hats were an important accessory for Hats were an important accessory for men. Hats for special occasions were men. Hats for special occasions were decorated with feathers, embroidery decorated with feathers, embroidery and ribbons.and ribbons.

Kosovorotka, a very popular item of Kosovorotka, a very popular item of clothing that could be worn every clothing that could be worn every day and on special occasions, at day and on special occasions, at home and at work.home and at work.

Men wore shirts to their knees and Men wore shirts to their knees and women wore them to their ankles.women wore them to their ankles.

Besides a shirt men wore porti. These Besides a shirt men wore porti. These men’s trousers were made of rough men’s trousers were made of rough linen.linen.

In winter both men In winter both men and women wore and women wore sheepskin sheepskin overcoats, usually overcoats, usually with fur on the with fur on the inside, called inside, called polushubok.polushubok.