I left my heart in Bohinj

The National Costume

The Slovene national costume has quite an impressive history and underwent considerable changes with the rapid developments in the 19th century. 

Its elaborateness was also highly dependent on its maker and the financial abilities of its buyers. Naturally, the richer classes were able to afford more luxurious costumes. Women from more wealthy farming families and towns wore a gold-plated "sklepanec" (metal belt), while others wore brass belts onto which they fastened the front door keys when they left their homes. 

The women hung the keys over the right hip, so that they could easily unlock the door with their right hand.

 
Married women usually wore a richly embroidered head-dress known as the "avba", while young girls wore the "zavijačka", a white, triangular scarf onto which an embroidered band was sewn. At the back of the avba is a large ribbon whose ends fall freely down the woman's back. 

The full, gathered skirt and bodice is made of colorful patterned material and extends to the ankles. Worn over it is a black apron with black lace trimming. Under the bodice and skirt is a white blouse, an underskirt, knee-length bloomers and white stockings (knitted in the pattern of "small knots") extending up to or over the knees. Black laced shoes rise above the ankles, while the low shoes are fastened with a strap or a buckle. Wrapped around the shoulders is a silk fringed scarf fastened in the front with a pin. The women carry a wicker basket bearing the inscription "IHS" in white, blue and red, and a white handkerchief tucked behind the belt.

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The male costume is comprised of a black felt hat decorated with "krivci". The most exquisite of these were the feathers of a blackcock, which in the past were a frequent reason for fights among young men. 

The men wore a sleeveless cardigan whose front was made of velvet embroidered with floral patterns, and the back was made of plain cotton. Along the front is a long row of metal (chromium or richer, silver-plated) buttons. 

A scarf is worn over the shirt. Fastened to the bottom buttonhole of the cardigan is a chain, which extends into the pocket. 

At the end of the chain is a gold or silver watch. The knee breeches ("irharce") are made of velured deer, chamois or cow leather, and have elaborately decorated braces, colorfully patterned pockets and trousers, and horn buttons. The breeches are worn with a tuck-in shirt and long undergarments made of unbleached cotton or linen.

The black leather boots reach up to the mid thighs, and are folded back below the knees. They are edged with a red leather border (which is black in some areas) and richly decorated with patterns on the upper part. The cotton parasol is red with a green, yellow and red trim and a curved handle. It is mostly used as a sunshade, but will endure some rain.

As initially mentioned, the national costume was also a symbol of wealth (social status) and was predominantly worn by richer farming families and well-to-do townspeople. For the less wealthy it was not affordable, particularly in the more elaborate, luxurious versions preferred by the richer classes.

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Source of pictures: Oskar Thiem, Zicnce Vogel, Zavod za Ribistvo, Stare Joze, LTO Idrija, LTO Bohinj, Alpinum, Uros Novak, Kovacic Tadej, Vodni park Bohinj
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