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A glimpse into Romanian culture

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Traditional Romanian Folk Costumes

  • Posted on October 14, 2020January 19, 2021
  • 4 minute read
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Romania, as most countries in Eastern Europe, has undergone various changes in history as a result of fluctuating political frontiers. There is no wonder, then, that the traditional Romanian folk costumes were, at times, influenced by various fashions, European or Ottoman. Of course, other elements of the costume, such as the beloved ia—the embroidered linen blouse—had already been well established, in fact it could be traced back to the Neolithic.

The structure of the costume hasn’t changed much, though, throughout history, and it is more or less the same throughout the Balkans. The main element remains ia, the shirt or chemise, made from linen, hemp or wool, which is tied around the waist with a fabric belt, narrower for women, wider for men. While men’s shirts are shorter and worn over white linen trousers or leggings, women’s shirts are longer, usually reaching the ankles. Women also wear aprons or wrap skirts over the shirts, back and front. Men’s attire is completed with hats, waistcoats and overcoats, while women wear printed woollen scarves or embellished headbands and the same type of outer garment, which only differes in cuts and decorations.

Visually, the traditional Romanian folk costumes are very impressive. They are famous for their intricate embroideries in vivid colours and geometric or floral motifs, sometimes displaying hidden symbols. They also differ a lot depending on the region they are worn, as well as their function. Obviously, the folk costumes nowadays are only worn for special occasions, such as traditional celebrations, folk dances or weddings.

Traditional folk costumes from various parts of Romania

Since an image is known to worth a thousand words, especially when it comes to the intricate, colourful details of the folk costumes, here’s a selection, from various parts of Romania.

A traditional outfit from Bucovina, in the North of Romania, which sports typical heavy vests trimmed in fur, emphasising not only the decorative nature of the folk costume, but also its practical side, with multiple layers.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Alina Maria de Roumanie (@alinamariaderoumanie) on Feb 24, 2019 at 10:59am PST

This woman’s costume also comes from Bucovina. Such costumes were usually reserved for special occasions. The colours of the Romanian flag, blue, red and yellow, are represented in the shirt.

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A post shared by @colectia_paul_torac on Jul 23, 2020 at 5:52am PDT

This particular female attire comes from Argeș, in the Central-South part of the country, but it was typically worn by ladies from the high society all over South Romania.

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A post shared by Etnotique (@etnotique_romania) on Mar 30, 2020 at 1:37am PDT

A Sunday’s best from Banat, in the Western part of the country. The simple ia is wonderfully complemented by the silk embroidered flowers on the aprons.

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A post shared by @colectiaetnograficamariusmatei on Jul 27, 2019 at 1:29am PDT

This boy is wearing a traditional costume from the culturally rich region of Bistrița-Năsăud, in Transylvania. The hat, sporting peacock feathers is typical to this region and its manufacturing is quite laborious, sometimes the artisans using as many as 500 peacock feathers for just one hat.

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A post shared by La Blouse Roumaine (@lablouseroumaine) on Jul 2, 2020 at 11:37am PDT

This typical bridal outfit from Bihor features the famous sheepskin vest that Dior appropriated a few years ago, and sold for many thousands of euros, unfortunately without giving any credit to the local craftsmen.

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A post shared by Etnotique (@etnotique_romania) on Aug 12, 2020 at 10:33pm PDT

Another bride, from Oaș Country, in the North of Romania, is sporting an elaborate headpiece and rows and rows of colourful beads.

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A post shared by Anca Cernoschi (@anca.cernoschi) on Sep 17, 2018 at 7:36am PDT

Dumitru Șofonea, pictured below with his wife, both wearing traditional Romanian folk costumes from Făgărașului Country in Brașov area, is a sheepskin coat maker, and has been declared a Living Human Treasure by UNESCO.

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A post shared by Haute Culture Creative ??✏️✂️ (@hauteculturecreative) on Jun 16, 2019 at 1:24pm PDT

Thanks to the cultural diversity of Romania, the folk costumes are not only denominating different regions of the country, but also various ethnicities. Below, a traditional folk costume worn by the women of the Bulgarian community from Banat and a Saxon costume from the beginning of the 20th century, on display at the Ethnographic Museum of Transylvania, in Cluj-Napoca.

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A post shared by La Blouse Roumaine (@lablouseroumaine) on Dec 30, 2019 at 10:28am PST

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A post shared by La Blouse Roumaine (@lablouseroumaine) on Sep 3, 2017 at 1:42am PDT

To conclude our journey, let us recommend once again Mădălina Andronic’s Instagram feed where, for the whole month of October, as part of the #inktober challenge, she posts daily illustrations of Romanian folk attire.

Featured image: Alina Voicu / pixabay

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Lavinia Gheorghiță

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