National costume of France: description, varieties and photos

France is a country of fashion, sophistication and unsurpassed female charm. For many years she dictated her rules in the field of clothes, shoes and hairstyles. Many fans of fashion know that the famous little black dress and a pencil skirt were donated to the whole world by the French. Some people know that they were invented by the famous Coco Chanel.

But a much smaller number of people have an idea of what is the national costume of France. What does it consist of? What is the name of the national costume of France? What are the characteristics of clothing in some provinces of France? What is the difference between women's, men's and children's outfits?

Are you interested in the most famous fashion designers in France and historical facts from the fashion industry? We will share this information with you. But first we will make a short digression into the history.

Interesting facts about the French fashion

• In the Middle Ages, Parisian mannequins drove through the cities of Europe. The things put on them were the standard of fashionable clothes.
• One of the elements of women's clothing - a bra - was invented in France.
• In ancient times the status of a person could be determined by the number of buttons on clothes. The more they were, the higher the place in society was occupied by a man. The French King Francis I had about 14,000 buttons on his suit.
• One of the most popular elements of women's clothing - trousers - was first worn in France.
• Where did the fashion for white wedding dresses go? Quite right, from France. This tradition arose in the 15th century.
• Men's shoes with a square toe were invented in France to hide the presence of a foot defect in King Charles VIII.
• Fashion for wigs went from Paris. They were worn at the time of King Louis XIV. The wig was a long hair curled in curls.
• A favorite accessory of the French is a scarf. It is worn by almost everything: children and adults, men and women.

National costume of France

He can tell a lot about the country, to convey its features and originality. The national costume of France was formed by the 17th century. And in different areas he had strong differences. Most of the society in those distant times were peasants. Here, in this milieu, the national costume of the people of France was born.

What materials did he sew? Most often used wool and canvas. Of the rough sewed clothes for every day, and the most thin went to underwear and festive shirts, pants, skirts. The colors were the most common: brown, white and gray. Notable people used red, lilac, black and blue shades in clothes. Want to know what the French national costume looked like? The photos used in the article will help you to make an idea about it.

From the history of women's clothing

The national costume set included a wide long skirt, approximately to the middle of the shank, and an apron - it was a little shorter and was made of a light-colored fabric. The national costume of France for women was necessarily supplemented with a headdress. It was called "cap", on top of which was put on a scarf or hat. He was worn not only on the street, but also at home.

The shirt or jacket was long-sleeved, fastened at the gate and tied with an apron. A handkerchief was tucked from above, which was tied on the chest. Town women usually wore a corsage, and it was also an element of festive clothing. The colors used were very diverse, including white, blue, and red. Black in clothes could be met very rarely.

The female national costume of the province of Auvergne (France) and some other regions was distinguished by the elements of embroidery, the shape of the headdresses and the color of the aprons. Later, light, feminine dresses began to enter fashion. They reminded them of tunics and tied a belt high under their breasts.

Ten years later, the dresses became longer, several skirts were put under them. Common accessories among Frenchwomen of the middle of the 19th century were white gloves, umbrellas, clutches, scarves and scarves. A great popularity enjoyed a variety of hats. Especially small ones with a veil. The Frenchwomen did not go out without them on the street.

Men's suit

In the 19th century, it included the following elements: pants to the knees, leggings, stockings, vest, jacket, blouse. The shirt was usually white and sewn from a thin material. A handkerchief was tied round his neck. It could be tied to a bow or knot. They wore a hat or a beret on their heads. Until the 18th century, men in France wore a cocked hat. Later they were replaced by hats with wide margins.

Over time, trousers became narrower. Men's clothes were made of woolen fabric. From velvet and silk were sewn vests. A wide shirt or blouse was usually worn over the jacket. At first it was worn only by peasants, and then by artisans. Rich citizens put on their coats. Shirts I liked to wear to artists. Loves for men and raincoats, it was considered a special glamor to put them on one shoulder.

National costume of some provinces of France

Alsace and Lorraine. White shirt, corsage, apron and skirt. Most often black. Hats were worn with a big bow.

In Brittany began to use lace. It was here that for the first time there were various accessories from this material. Men wore jackets of different length, pants to the knees, hats with wide margins, vests.

Flanders. Wide skirts, apron, corsage. A distinctive feature of the costume is a checkered shawl with fringe. Chapts with decorations made of ribbons, living and artificial flowers.

Gascony. Women wore black jackets with sewing on lacing, blue skirts, fastened ribbons in the hair. Men wore tight pants to the knees, a jacket, a wide belt, stockings, shoes made of leather. Headgear - takes black, white, red or blue.

Elements of clothing

Next, we will examine in more detail what the national costume of France consisted of. The name and definition of the most common of its elements:

• Rengrave - men's pants, like a woman's skirt.
• Just like a long coat, which was worn without buttoning.
• Braciere is a small jacket with short arms.
• Alpargaty - wicker sandals.
• Sabo - wooden shoes.
• Purple is a swing outfit.
• Se - outerwear.
• Mangotas - openwork sleeves.
• Barretina is a man's headdress. It was a hood, usually red or purple.

The most famous French fashion designers

It is not difficult to imagine how much the fashion world would be deprived if the following persons did not create it:

• Coco Chanel. In the 20th century, she made a real revolution in the world of French fashion. Having freed women from long skirts and tight corsets, she paved the way for elegance and refinement. Simple styles of dresses and suits, hiding shortcomings and emphasizing virtues, for many years determined the direction of not only the French, but also the world fashion.
• Yves Saint Laurent. He gave a tuxedo to women, taught them to combine different styles and use bright colors in clothes.
• Christine Dior. Back to the French fashion corsets and lush dresses. In his works the woman looked like a beautiful flower. Characteristic features: a narrow waistline or waist with a waist and a wide lush skirt.
• Pierre Cardin. Was engaged not only in female, but also in men's fashion. Narrow trousers and jackets without collars pleased to wear a strong half of humanity. Created for women colored pantyhose and high boots.

French national costume for children

There are no special differences from adult clothes for children. In France, as in many countries in Europe, children were dressed for a long time in the same way as their parents. Boys and girls under four years old, and sometimes longer, dressed equally. It was a long, wide dress, a skirt and stockings were put underneath. On the head - a cap.

At the age of seven, the boys began to wear pants, a cloak and a sword. The girls were dressed like adult women. One difference was still: on children's dresses, from the back, wide tapes were sewn. Very often, they put on collars on a dress.

The distinctive features of the French style

1. Lack of pretentiousness. A simple dress or suit style. Nothing extra. The French even advise before leaving the house, having looked in the mirror, to remove from themselves an extra accessory or an element of clothing.
2. Versatility. French women dress up in the morning to work so that in the evening you can go to a cafe or restaurant, just by adding some kind of accessory.
3. Perfection in tailoring.
4. Comfortable shoes, lack of large heels.
5. Jewelry is almost not used.

The French know how to make everyday clothes a festive outfit. They are assisted in this by various accessories: scarves, shawls, shawls, stoles, handbags, etc. Comfortable clothes and shoes, as well as self-confidence, allows the inhabitants of France to dictate their terms in the fashion world to other countries.

National clothes of different peoples contain a lot of interesting things. Firstly, you can get some information about the country on it. Secondly, it conveys the national flavor and charm. And finally, it is simply beautiful and unusual. Looking at the national clothes of France, you understand why this country was the legislator of the world fashion for many years. Here everything is simple, comfortable and yet elegant.