Lemko
Floral and striped patterns are typical of the Lemko costume. The
ladies wear finely pleated red floral skirts and somewhat narrower blue
floral skirts underneath. Over the skirt is worn a pleated long white apron,
trimmed at the base with horizontal stripes of blue, red and yellow. Simply
embroidered blouses are topped with elaborately decorated black vests.
Red wool, multicoloured beads and gold trim the vests. A patterned ribbon
in the hair, red coral beads and red leather boots complete the wardrobe.
The men wear equally elaborate black jackets decorated with vertical red
and gold embroidery. A sparsely embroidered shirt is tucked in at the waist
and held by a brown sash. Off-white tailored pants have a vertical stripe
down the side.
Women
Headwear: Young maidens wore their
hair in a single braid and for special occasions was worn straight and
allowed to hang down the back. They wore nothing on their heads in summer
and a woolen kerchief in winter. Married women wore a large kerchief to
cover their hair.
Necklace: Small silver beads
and then red coral. Also woven bead necklaces were worn.
Shirt: Made of linen and about
thigh length and attached to the bottom to make a half slip was a coarser
hemp cloth. Minimal geometric embroidery in black and red adorned the shoulder
panel. The collar was closed with a button and the front was tied with
ribbon.
Skirt: Skirt reached mid-calf
and was made of printed material with tiny floral patterns. It was pleated
all around except the front which was covered by an apron.
Apron: Made of pleated material
with a trimmed edge.
Vest: Dark navy woolen material
was used. The vest was lined and trimmed in yellow and red. Red cord and
yarn adorned the front.
Sash: Made of black, white
and red woven wool. A wider finer sash was wrapped over this.
Footwear: For work postoly
were worn. For going out leather boots were worn which were fitted with
ornate nails that served as taps that rang when walking or dancing.
Men
Headwear: Plaited straw hat
with a low crown and narrow turned up brim and decorated with yarn and
rooster feathers. Foil flowers were also used. In winter they wore sheepskin
caps with earflaps.
Shirt: Similar to the women's
except with a standup collar fastened with a button. The length was just
below the hip.
Pants: These were of hemp or
woven wool and a narrow leg. They have a red or blue trim along the side
of the pantleg.
Belt: A patterned 10 inch wide
belt was worn. It fastened with three buckles and had pockets for money
and tobacco.
Vest: Similar to women's but
less fitted. Front was adorned with red cord and often two rows of copper
buttons.
Footwear: Postoly were worn
for every day while leather boots were worn for going out.
Info supplied by Kossack's Korner - Jake Kalyta