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Armenian National Clothing
Each nation has its values and national clothing is one of the values and an integral part of the history of the nation. Armenia, as one of the most ancient countries with a rich history has its own traditional clothing. Moreover, each province had its own unique style of clothing with distinctive embroidery and details. Taraz, Armenian national clothing is a pride of the Armenian nation, which has its unique place in the culture of Armenia. Alongside with learning the history of Armenian culture the history of Taraz is needed to be learnt. We are glad to present you a brief history of the Armenian national clothing.
Armenian National Clothing for Women
Classic women taraz is a free wide dress with jag in the middle and on the sides. The main colors Taraz are black as a symbol of the earth, white – a symbol of water, red – the air, yellow – the symbol of flame. National clothing was a symbol of belonging to a particular class. The clothing could also determine whether the woman are married or how many children she had.
Depending on the social status, woman’s dress could be decorated with gold or silver threads. Women’s dresses were made of satin, plush, silk and brocade.
Eastern part of the country had its own national dress. Women’s clothing from eastern region included a long red shirt, long red pants with embroidery were worn under the long shirt. Over the shirt women wore shoulder dress with a silver belt. Depending on social status, women wore bib or a velvet coat over the dress. Bibs were decorated with embroidery, which had a special meaning for each family.
Armenian National Clothing for Men
The male costume consisted of a shirt and wide trousers. Collar shirt was decorated with embroidery. Shirt was made of cotton fabric or of goat fur. Style and color of coats varied depending on the province. Kaftan had fitted shape with narrow sleeves and a high collar. Men of high society wore light colored coats, men with lower status wore garments of dark tones. Western Armenians wore a vest with jacket over Kaftan.
Men’s trousers were narrow shape at the ankles to make them feel comfortable while working on the field. At the waist trousers had wrapped wide scarf. Scarf has served not only as a belt but also as a pocket; in scarf layers men carried wallet and a knife.
In winter men wore sheepskin coats or vests made of goat fur.
National Headwear
The most important part of the national costume was the headwear for women and men. Men wore fur, woven and knitted hats. Depending on the province hats had tall and narrow form. Citizens wore cylindrical caps of Persial lamb
Female headwear was more complex and diverse. The style depended on the social status, whether a woman was married or not married. The main part of the headwear was a kind of a small turret, the handkerchief was tied over the turret. Scarf covered neck and lower part of face. Headwear was removed only if there was no man in the house.
Women of high society wore headbands adorned with precious stones, gold and silver.
National Shoes
National costume was completed with hanndmade shoes, which were called threkh. Bast shoes were made of rough skin, worn with woolen socks. Women’s shoes were backless and of acute form. Citizens wore boots with high heels and long curved toes. Urban ladies wore leather boots with soft soles.
Taraz is a very colorful costume, but, unfortunately, you can hardly see anyone wearing national costume on the street. Or you can see all the beauty of national costumes worn by dancers. You can also see unique collection of national costumes of different Armenian provinces in the National History Museum in Yerevan.
