National costumes of Poland vary by region
National costumes of Poland (Polish: stroje ludowe) vary by region. They are typically not worn in daily life but at folk festivals, folk weddings, religious holidays, harvest festivals and other special occasions.[1] The costumes may reflect region and sometimes social or marital status.[1]
Poland's inhabitants live in the following historic regions of the country: Greater Poland, Lesser Poland, Mazovia, Pomerania, Warmia, Masuria, Podlachia, Kuyavia and Silesia.
Lesser Poland / Małopolska
- Kraków region:[2] The woman's costume includes a white blouse, a vest that is embroidered and beaded on front and back, a floral full skirt, an apron, a red coral bead necklace, and lace-up boots. Unmarried women and girls may wear a flower wreath with ribbons while married women wear a white kerchief on their head. The men wear a blue waistcoat with embroidery and tassels, striped trousers, a krakuska cap ornamented with ribbons and peacock feathers and metal rings attached to the belt.
- Lachy Sądeckie live in southern Lesser Poland, especially in Nowy Sącz County and Kotlina Sądecka.
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Western Kraków region
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Eastern Kraków region
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Kraków region
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Lachy Sądeckie men's costume
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Lachy Sądeckie, including married woman's costume
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Lachy Sądeckie, including unmarried woman's costume
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Lesser Poland
Gorals / Górale
Gorals live in southern Poland along the Carpathian Mountains, in Podhale of the Tatra Mountains and parts of the Beskids. Their costumes vary depending on the region.[3]
Subcarpathian region / Podkarpacie
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Pogórzanie
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Pogórzanie
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Rzeszowiacy
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Pogórzanie
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Sanok (Kamraty)
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Lasowiacy (Mazurians)
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Rymanów (Pogórzanie)
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Liszna (Sanok)
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Lublin region
Masovia and central Poland
Places in Masovia with distinctive costumes include:
Upper class
The szlachta were Polish nobles and had their own attire which included the kontusz, pas kontuszowy (sash) and a crimson żupan.[20]
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Nobility
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Bractwo Kurkowe (Kraków)
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Bractwo Kurkowe (Kraków)
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17th century
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Żywiec
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King
Stanisław I in a
Cracovian costume
Burghers
Mieszczanie were Polish burghers, among whom in 18th century czamaras gained a lot of popularity (especially in the Kraków region, hence the alternative name Kraków coat for czamara). In 19th century czamara became a Polish national and patriotic attire.[21]
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Men in czamaras
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Man wearing a czamara