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Some sources believe that gayly decorated folk costume, folk customs and folk music are the important distinctive features of the Croatian nation. Croats in the 20th century came to see these cultural elements as the way in which Croats could present themselves to the world. We know, however, very little about Crotian folk costumes at this time. We note Croats wearing traditional outfits in the 19th century. This included plain whote shirts and trousers, a style we see throughout the Balkans. We believe that these outfits were still worn to some degree before World War II, especially in rural areas. Dress in the cities was westernized by the time of World War II. It is less clear when Croats began wearing fancy folk costumes to fairs and festivals and on important festivals. Although many started wearing traditional folk costumes for folk festivals and, even, holidays, there were no confirmations of the use of these fancy folk costume in everyday life. There were many common elements to Balkans folk costumes. This reflects the centuries of Ottoman ruile. We do not yet have details on specific Croatian costumes. We note a lot of red and white shirts or blouses. While red was important we see many white costumes as well. We have noted striking gold embroidery on white garments. Embrodery and lace are important elements as is the case elsewhere in the Balkans. A brimless cap with vertical sides was often worn by men and boys. We also note conical hats rather like Alpine caps wore by Austrian boys. The Croatian caps were often emroidered. We also note the vest (waistcoat) often featured in folk costumes. Red vests with white costumes were common. It is no entirely clear just when specifically Croatian elements appeared. There were variations from region to region within Croatia. We have few details at this time about different folk garments are variations in style at different areas in Croatia.Boudaries have changed over time. Slavonia was, for example, contested between Serbia and Croatia. Thus the descrition of Croatia folk costumes is complicated. Trade with other areas as well as occupation (by the Hungarians, Ottomans, and Austrians) have all had influences on fashion and costume. And they make it difficult to establish the origins of soecific costume features. We are uncertain about trends vefore World war I, but after the War it is notable to see people dressing up in folk costumes for fairs and festivals. We also see children wearing folk costumes to school for special occassions. After World War II, traditional dress rapidly disappeared in Croatia and other Yugoslav republics, except fancy costumes for special occassions. We note children done up in folk costumes for events like dancing at schools. As it the common pattern for folk outfits, there were no specific styles for children, but parents seem to like to dress the chidren up in these costumes for special events. Hopefuilly Croatian readers will provide more detailed insights on folk styles.
Some sources believe that gayly decorated folk costume, folk customs and folk music are the important distinctive features of the Croatian nation. Croats in the 20th century came to see these cultural elements as the way in which Croats could present themselves to the world. [Kristic] We know, however, very little about Crotian folk costumes at this time.
We note Croats wearing traditional outfits in the 19th century. This included plain white shirts and trousers, often worn with a vest. This outfit was not highly decorated like festive folk costumes. This was a style we see throughout the Balkans. We believe that these outfits were still worn to some degree before World War II, especially in rural areas. Dress in the cities was westernized by the time of World War II. Western dress was more common in Croatia than other areas of the Balkans, probably because, Croatia was freed from Ottoman rule earlier than in other areas like Albania, Bulgaria, and Serbia.
It is less clear when Croats began wearing fancy folk costumes to fairs and festivals and on important festivals. So far the only examples of fancy folk costuming we have found are 20th century examples, although many od the styles have a 19th century look.
Although many people started wearing traditional folk costumes for folk festivals and, even, holidays, there were no confirmations of the use of these fancy folk costume in everyday life. [Kristic] We are uncertain about trends before World war I, but after the War it is notable to see people dressing up in folk costumes for fairs and festivals.
There were many common elements to Balkans folk costumes. This reflects the centuries of Ottoman ruile. Trade with other areas as well as occupation (by the Hungarians, Ottomans, and Austrians) have all had influences on fashion and costume. And they make it difficult to establish the origins of specific costume features.
We do not yet have details on specific Croatian costumes. We note a lot of red and white shirts or blouses. While red was important we see many white costumes as well. We have noted striking gold embroidery on white garments. Embrodery and lace are important elements as is the case elsewhere in the Balkans. We note open work sleeves and hrems. A brimless cap with vertical sides was often worn by men and boys. We also note conical hats rather like Alpine caps wore by Austrian boys. The Croatian caps were often emroidered. We also note the vest (waistcoat) often featured in folk costumes. Red vests with white costumes were common. Some of the women's outfits, including the headwear were very elaborate. It is no entirely clear, however, just when specifically Croatian elements appeared.
There were variations from region to region within Croatia. We have few details at this time about different folk garments are variations in style at different areas in Croatia.Boudaries have changed over time. Slavonia was, for example, contested between Serbia and Croatia. Thus the descrition of Croatia folk costumes is complicated.
We also see Croatian children wearing folk costumes to school for special occassions. We do not see muvch traditioinal cloithing in Croatia before World War II and it disappeared in Croatia and ther Yugoslav republics after the War. We do see fancy costumes for special occassions. We note children done up in folk cosumes for events. We also see children dancing at schools in folk costumes. These school outfits do not seem as fancy as some we have seen. Note the rather plain vests here (figure 1). As it the common pattern for folk outfits, there were no specific styles for children, but parents seem to like to dress the chidren up in these costumes for special events. Some of these outfits are very fancy.
Here we will archive specific examoles of Croatian folk costumes.
Kristic, Karmela. "Seljacka sloga i narodna nosnja (u razdoblju od 1926. do 1929. i od 1935. do 1940. godine" (Seljačka sloga and the folk costume (in the period from 1926 until 1929 and in the period from 1935 until 1940) Studia ethnologica Croatica (2002-2003, vol. 14-15), pp. 89-143.
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