The national costume of the Karelians is a question still studied by historians who are guided by archaeological excavations and other sources of information. What in ancient times was the clothes of the people, the number of which at the moment is about 60 thousand people (according to the latest census), is not known for certain. However, scientists managed to establish how his representatives dressed in the 18th century and later.
Karelian national costume: materials
Clothing - especially designed for everyday wear - was not supposed to constrain movements, it required convenience and simplicity. The national costume of the Karelians was often created using the most affordable materials. Most people made the “base" on their own. To do this, sheep were planted, the fields were seeded with hemp and flax.
The national costume of the Karelians was often sewn using hemp thread, especially with regard to clothing for workers. Outerwear was made from half-woolen fabrics with a linen base. Representatives of this people did not refuse from factory materials, visiting fairs and trading shops for the acquisition of kumach, chintz.
The choice of material from which the national costume of the Karelians was made also depended on the material situation of a person. The rich often preferred expensive fabrics, using brocade for sewing traditional clothes of silk. Shoes were made from hides, they were also used when creating hats and gloves.
How did men dress
If we compare the clothes of representatives of the opposite sexes, the men's outfit lost to the female in terms of originality. A shirt-shirt, resembling a tunic, ports, a traditional belt - such was the national costume of the Karelians. The photos show that they rarely forgot to complement his headgear.
Representatives of the stronger sex wore shirts of two kinds. It could be a short shirt made of linen, endowed with a standing narrow collar. Or a long version, which was worn out of reach, reached to the knees, made of homespun canvas. Pants did not differ in variety: narrow, cloth. Shirts were often complemented by neckerchiefs.
Belts, which were an invariable part of the Karelian costume, in most cases were made of leather, could also be knitted. Men belted traditionally in two turns. Children's outfits were limited to shirts, the first trousers of a teenager were relied only after the first plot, which he personally plowed.
What women wore
What does the Karelian national costume look like for the fair sex? Ladies complemented the traditional shirt with either a skirt or a sundress. If a sundress was put on, the belt hid under it. To refuse this element of the wardrobe was considered a bad sign - belts for women served as a kind of amulets that save from demons. It was customary to combine a sundress with an apron that differed from it in color.
A set designed for the holiday looked a bit different. In this case, the apron had ties located on the back, and was complemented by a bright ribbon. From her it was possible to understand whether the girl was married or was still in search of a bridegroom. In the first case, this piece of material was tied in front, in the second - on the side.
When preparing the festive garments, increased attention was paid to the scarf. The accessory was created from expensive materials, decorated with embroidery, there was no fringe. The thing pounced on the shoulders, the ends connected on the chest.
Outerwear Features
What national costume did the Karelians use “for the street”? In most cases, such clothes were made from homespun cloth, canvas, and fur was used. Kaftan was almost the same for both sexes. The back could be straight or detachable, often had assemblies at the waist, on the back. Sleeves were mostly made long.
Karelian fur coats were used most often in long trips. Models did not differ in variety: sheepskin coats or clothes "in the waist." To create them, poor people used sheepskin; the rich preferred the hare and fox fur. Buttons could be two or three.
In the cold season, woolen scarves and scarves were also used. Mittens were made of fur and leather, and mittens knitted from sheep’s wool were also popular.
What did the shoes look like
Shoes are an element, without the mention of which it is impossible to fully characterize the national costume of the Karelians. A description of this wardrobe detail should begin with classic boots that were made from rawhide. Such shoes were characterized by the lack of heels and comfortable soft soles. Northern Karelians preferred fur models, noses were bent up.
Typical work shoes are boots called shoe covers. They were distinguished by wide shafts, made mainly from leather. Birch bark bast shoes were also popular, especially if there was a "dirty" job ahead. They were made without fasteners, in appearance they looked like galoshes. Gradually, "home" products were replaced by factory models.
