Folk costume has always played an important role in the lives of the people of Latvia. It helped preserve traditional cultural values and create a national identity. Nowadays, folk costumes can be found during private and national holidays. The costume not only shows the social status of its owner, but also a particular region of the country.
Two periods can be distinguished in the history of Latvian folk costume. The first period, from the seventh to the thirteenth century, is known as the "old clothing" period. The second - the 18th and 19th centuries. - is called the period of "ethnic clothing."
During this period, women and men wore clothes made of linen and wool of local origin. The materials for footwear and headgear were furs and skins of domestic and wild animals. Bronze products - rings, bracelets, brooches - were very popular. Fabrics were made with linen weave or twill. Most clothing came from the workshops of local craftsmen. On the other hand, luxury items were imported via trade routes from Scandinavia, Russia and the Middle East.
Interesting fact: Clothing of that period did not have pockets. Therefore, one of the most important accessories was a belt of various widths. The belt not only held the garment, but was also used to carry essentials such as money, keys, or even a knife and water container.
Until the beginning of the 20th century, Latvian folk costume was heavily influenced by Germany. During German rule, bronze ornaments disappeared from clothing. The technique of needle embroidery also gradually disappeared. However, the tradition of knitting developed: gloves and socks were made using ornaments and colors characteristic of each region.
Written sources from the 18th century (Johann Christoph Brotze) show that the most common colors of a Latvian peasant's outfit were natural white and gray (the colors of linen cloth and wool). For decoration, traditional colors were used: blue, red, yellow and green.
At the end of the 19th century, men wore home-woven kaftans of natural gray color, decorated with red, green and blue cord. In the summer they wore half-captains made of linen, and in the winter they wore long, woven wool overcoats or furs. In the second half of the 19th century, when factory-made fabrics began to be used for sewing festive clothes, men's clothes appeared in dark blue, brown and black. For special occasions, men also wore vests.
Women preferred linen shirts in the old way. The upper, visible part of them was sewn of thin linen cloth, while the hidden part under the skirt was made of thicker cloth. Long skirts, kaftans of various lengths, and woolen shawls were worn on top of the shirt. The most popular decoration for Latvian women was silver brooches, decorated with beads, or colored glass beads. With the help of a brooch, women would fasten a shawl to their chest.
Interesting fact: Gloves were often given as gifts, especially on the occasion of weddings, but also funerals. Even the summer festive clothes of men were sometimes additionally complemented with patterned gloves. Constituting an inseparable part of the image, they were usually worn behind the belt.
Five major regions can be distinguished in Latvia, each with distinctive traditions, dialect and clothing patterns. There have never been sharp borders between the regions, instead there have always been cultural ties and mutual exchange. Regional variations are most evident in women's costumes, for example, in terms of color range, cut, composition and ornamentation. Ornaments on scarves, gloves and socks also varied from region to region.
Nowadays, Latgallian folk costumes can be seen on various occasions, including Song and Dance Festival celebrations, or at folk band performances.
© Piekielko.com