Russian costume as an embodiment of the identity of the people

A nested doll, a long bright peasant woman's sundress, a kokoshnik are all well-known and characteristic symbols of our people and their traditions. National Russian costume for many centuries was remarkable for its amazing variety, which was expressed in bright decorativeness, multicolour sets, multiplicity of forms and types. People's clothing has gone a long way in its development, which is closely connected with history.

Preservation of traditions

Traditional clothing is an important ethnic indicator and an element that synthesizes various types of applied decorative art. Somewhat changing, the Russian costume retained the characteristic elements of ornamentation, cut, use of jewelry and materials. The history of the Russian costume captures the formation of the culture of the people. And his true guardian has always been the peasantry. The first mention goes back to the era of ancient Kievan Rus. In those days, people dressed simply, the costumes of the kings and peasants were the same, only the degree of decoration could show belonging to a particular estate.

Approximately in the XII-XIII centuries there was a characteristic division of the forms of the Russian costume into the northern and southern ones. This was due to the degree of development of applied art. In the southern territories devastated by the constant raids of nomads, art crafts did not sufficiently develop. In the north, the overall living standard of the people was higher due to trade and the flowering of culture.

Since the XVIII-XIX centuries, peasant clothing is somewhat modified under the influence of fashion and the development of industrial production. Russian costume from this time is made from factory fabrics, the decoration of headdresses and shoes changes, and then the forms of clothing are changed .

Currently, Russian costume is a traditional outfit when performing folk bands, whether it's singing or dancing.

Characteristic features of the female folk costume

The Russian costume of the southern peasant woman consisted of a shirt and a skirt-poneva. Shirt was long to the edge of the skirt. Northern women wore a sundress. Very often a piece of cheap and unbleached canvas was used to sew a part of the shirt hiding beneath it. Sarafans were cut from the wedges, expanding to the bottom. Clothing is traditionally richly decorated with a patterned fabric or hand embroidered. The predominant colors were always red and white. An obligatory accessory of the costume was a belt, which at the same time was considered an amulet. Stripes of ornament, colored lace, ribbons, braids must be located at the edges of the sleeves, hem, on the shoulder and along the cut on the chest. Each province had its own special Russian costume, differing in features of decoration, colors, headdresses. Also, clothes were different depending on the status, age, class.

The visiting card of our country is Russian folk costumes. The photos will show not only the beauty, richness, originality of the national decoration, but also help to feel the inner spirit of the people, its uniqueness.