Russian folk wedding costume
Today, wedding fashion amazes with its diversity, and every bride can choose not only the style and color of the outfit, but also its length. In the old days, brides wore jewelry that also emphasized beauty and youth, but at the same time, all the details had a certain symbolic meaning.
Russian wedding folk costumes - main features
During the times of Rus', there were no snow-white outfits, since the white color was considered a symbol of holiness and something spiritual. For several years, girls sewed their own wedding dresses, which they decorated with embroidery and bright patterns. Russian folk wedding dresses were unique, but they all had common features:
- if representatives of a boyar family got married, the outfits were made from expensive and heavy fabrics, girls from peasant families could not afford such luxury, because the fabrics were cheaper;
- Almost all Russian folk wedding dresses were decorated with characteristic patterns: flowers, berries and leaves, which were a symbol of goodness;
- Russian folk wedding costume has always been motley and colorful, the bride in it was bright and attractive according to the old Russian canons of beauty.
Russian wedding folk costumes - customs and traditions
Today, young girls buy a maximum of two outfits: one for the wedding ceremony, and the second for a noisy celebration with guests on the second day. In the old days, each girl prepared at least four dresses, in accordance with Russian folk wedding traditions. It was necessary to sew separate decorations for the wedding, marriage ceremony, and also prepare a costume for the festivities.
As for the bachelorette party, the girl wore a bright sundress and a shirt underneath. The special feature of this undershirt was its very long sleeves. The fact is that, according to legend, the groom and his bride should not have touched their bare hands.
Another detail of the Russian traditional wedding dress was the headdress. It was something similar to a wreath of ribbons, and after the wedding the bride gave all this beauty to her close friend or sister. They wore a red dress directly to the wedding; in those days it was a symbol of beauty, joy and fun.
For the second day of the celebration, a Russian folk wedding costume was selected from the most expensive materials that the girl’s family could afford. This particular dress was not just beautifully embroidered and decorated with all sorts of ornaments, but a traditional sash was tied to it, which was worn by all married women.
Models in folk style with photos
Stylized white
Delicate embroidery fits perfectly into the concept of a wedding dress. Today designers offer various embroidery design options:
- giving it volume;
- decoration with ribbons;
- decoration with rhinestones, pearls, precious stones.
Each of them is good in its own way, but all of them, without a doubt, create a festive image in the Slavic style.
The classic wedding dress is designed in white tones. The successful fashion for white came to us only in the 19th century, while before that, wedding dresses were sewn in red.
Interesting! White is the color of purity and innocence. Red in Rus' is a symbol of beauty and life.
For a Slavic stylized wedding, a straight-cut white linen or cotton dress with embroidered scarlet or blue patterns, which will become the highlight of the look, is perfect. Both the whole dress and individual elements are embroidered - hem, sleeves, bodice, belt. You can complement the outfit with a string of pearls or a belt to match the embroidery.
So that nothing distracts attention from the stunning decor, the cut of the dress should be as simple as possible, without an excessive amount of ruffles and flounces. It is the embroidery that will become the central decoration of the dress (except for the bride, of course).
You can complement the embroidered outfit with a lace cape. In Rus' it was highly valued, because the lace fabric allowed girls to demonstrate their own talents in handling bobbins.
The silhouette should be chosen that is most comfortable for the bride. White linen dresses with A-line embroidery are very popular, emphasizing the strengths of the figure and hiding flaws, looking feminine and light.
Sundress
A sundress is the closest option to an ethnic wedding dress. Brides are offered various models of sundresses:
- tight to the floor;
- with a fluffy shin-length skirt;
- loose fit;
- flared from the chest.
All styles have one thing in common - beautiful embroidery (with ribbons, beads or silk thread) or a printed design in the Khokhloma or Gzhel traditions, which make the wedding dress original and elegant.
A light sundress with a deep neckline is ideal for a summer wedding. You can leave your shoulders open or wear a sundress over a silk or cotton shirt.
A wedding sundress complete with a shower warmer is suitable for a holiday in the cool season. You can choose both traditional colors (white, red, blue) and unusual combinations of green-gold, blue-silver, yellow-red.
, which is sewn on, look original and unusual
- vertical stripes along the entire length;
- on the bodice or skirt;
- on the sleeves.
Idea! A long lace sleeve and a floor-length skirt will turn the bride into a noblewoman - self-sufficient and confident in her own beauty.
Linen is considered one of the popular materials for a sundress, and this model goes perfectly with a wreath of wildflowers. If you want to add a luxurious touch to your look, choose a brocade sundress.
If you want to surprise your guests, buy or sew to order a bright red straight-cut sundress , which girls in Russia wore when they got married. Ribbons woven into the braid will complement the delicate look, and large pearl earrings and beads will be the finishing touch.
With embroidery and patterns
A wedding dress “a la russe” with embroidery and patterns can have a full or tight skirt with or without a train. The details of the model fade into the background, giving way to the proscenium decoration.
Among the Slavs, embroidery served as a talisman, so it was placed in places where the body came into contact with the outside world - the turn of the sleeve, collar, hem. Currently, few people think about this sacred meaning. Rather, embroidery is a popular decorative option.
Both classic patterns and their reinterpreted variations are used to decorate a wedding dress . Each embroidered design had a special meaning among the Slavs. Thus, the herringbone ladder personified the tree of life and symbolized fertility, strong connections with relatives, and the ability to hear the world. The snowflake (symbol of the Slavic god Belobog) was able to prevent discord and preserve the hearth, and the cross of Lada protected from the evil eye, gave spiritual harmony and promised the birth of healthy offspring.
Today, designers decorate the sleeves, skirt, bodice or belt of a wedding dress with embroidered floral and geometric patterns, which are only partially reminiscent of the old Russian versions. To add chic to the look, embroidery is complemented with lace, rhinestones, stones, and beads.
Advice! Hand-embroidered wedding dresses are especially valuable, but such models cost an order of magnitude higher than their stamped counterparts.
Fans of the classics who want to add a little originality to their outfit will love a white wedding dress with matching embroidery. In such an outfit it will be possible to combine both modern trends and the traditions of ancestors.
Russian wedding dress
Russian wedding folk costumes are of particular cultural value. They are part of the history of our country, however, even in modern times, Russian wedding dresses arouse keen interest. Russian style and its unique wedding traditions remain a source of inspiration for many designers, and, of course, modern brides and grooms.
Features of Russian wedding costume
Russian wedding suits differed from everyday clothes, first of all, in their color scheme, materials of manufacture, and decor. Every detail of the outfit (and there were many of them - a wedding suit in Russia was multi-item ) had its own meaning. Key differences also include the way they are worn. As for the cut, it was approximately the same as for everyday clothes - loose, straight, not focusing on the features of the physique.
Russian dress with Mstera embroidery
Natural home-made fabrics - linen, wool - were chosen as materials for making wedding dresses. Wedding shirts were made from flax, thin and light, and brides' sundresses were made from denser fabrics.
Dress in Russian style
The choice of material depended on the wealth of the bride's family. Girls from wealthy families could afford clothes made from expensive purchased materials - velvet, brocade, silk. The clothes of brides from peasant families were made from simple fabrics, but they looked no less luxurious - due to the exquisite decor , which was the embodiment of the unique talent of Russian needlewomen. As you know, it was peasant girls who perfectly mastered the art of decoration. And they most clearly showed their amazing talent in decorating wedding dresses.
Unique sundress decor
Russian style wedding
The basis of a bride's wedding dress in Russia was a sundress .
These clothes were decorated with gold and silver threads, beads, and bright braid. The most beautiful, of course, were the sundresses of brides from rich, noble families. They were made from luxurious fabrics, including brocade, and decorated with natural pearls and valuable fur. Spectacular and expensive decor made the clothes not only beautiful, but also quite heavy: the sundresses of rich brides could weigh about 10 kg or even more.
To the floor or to the knee?
Another feature of dresses in the Russian style is the widespread use of linen and natural fabrics. Linen has many advantageous qualities:
- maintains a stable microclimate under clothing at any time of the year;
- easily removes sweat;
-does not retain odors;
- easy to wash;
- tear resistant;
- pleasant when in contact with the skin.
Therefore, when considering a linen dress, which can be purchased on our Slavic website, the buyer makes a choice in favor of health and comfort.
The site catalog offers two product options. The first group reflects stylization of folk style. The length of these dresses reaches the floor level, completely covering the feet. This silhouette is great for short or heavyset women. It extends the visual line of perception.
The shortened version creates a playful look, full of spring freshness and youthful beauty. Ideal for those with beautiful slender legs. Each model has several variations that have more modern features or folk flavor.
Russian folk wedding costume
The solemn and long-awaited wedding day should always be held in the style that the newlyweds choose. There are a lot of themes for weddings, but folk style deserves special attention. The holiday will combine not only specific clothing, but also the traditions of ancestors. The Russian folk wedding costume should have a special place, and it will have to be chosen with the utmost care, it is advisable to even remember historical facts. And grandparents can suggest traditions that have long been forgotten by everyone.
Women's wedding headdress
A national Russian wedding dress without a kokoshnik is impossible. This headdress was present on every bride, since an uncovered head was considered a dishonorable act. A woman could make a fool of herself only in front of her own husband after many years of life, but for other family members and acquaintances this was out of the question. The scarf was a daily item to be worn, not a holiday item.
A modern bride, choosing a celebration in the Russian folk style, should purchase a beautiful kokoshnik for herself. This is a high half-hat with an open back, decorated with various stones, beads, gold, and embroidery. The kokoshnik can be worn over a special thin cap that hides the hair and protects the head. When choosing this option for your head, you should also think about the veil and hairstyle, since long hair is very clearly visible from under the kokoshnik. A long wedding accessory can be a gentle addition to your wedding look.
If you don’t want to wear a girl’s kokoshnik for a Russian wedding, you should choose a worthy replacement. A wreath of flowers - field or greenhouse - will be appropriate when combined with folk attire and ribbons. Since women's sundress and kokoshnik are often made in red tones, other accessories can be made in the same format. The main thing in the image is to correctly combine folk and modern elements. A folk costume with a bright necklace will look ridiculous; it is better to choose accessories that are not very provocative.
Who is it suitable for?
Original wedding dresses in Russian folk style will suit any girl. In the old days, there were completely different criteria for assessing the beauty of a bride. But both then and now, outfits in the national version look stylish and luxurious, decorated with embroidery, thread, pearls, furs and openwork lace.
The cut of a wedding dress, close to ancient fashion, will successfully hide the features of a woman’s figure. Therefore, the national style should be chosen by girls with a curvaceous figure and, conversely, those who are excessively thin.
The meaning and symbolism of patterns on ancient Russian costumes
The wedding dress of the bride and groom in the folk style was necessarily embroidered with various reliefs; knitting could also be used for this. And each such pattern had its own purpose. Depending on what was depicted on the wedding suit, married life could change. Therefore, in ancient Rus' the kindest, prophetic, and correct signs were chosen. Here are some popular interpretations of symbols:
The Star or Cross of Svarog signifies the folding and opening of the Universe. This is grace from God that should flow throughout life. Belobog - this symbol brought good luck and light to the family. Such folk embroidery on a wedding dress means that everyday life will be filled with joy and happiness. Bogodar - means that all heavenly Gods will be favorable to the family. And everyone will be able to turn to the Higher Powers with any requests and prayers. The volot was placed on the groom's wedding dress and meant strength and power of a person. To ensure that the husband was the head of the family, the mother embroidered such symbols on the shirt. The tree of Life. The name itself says that such a symbol marks the beginning of a new revolution. In the modern world, it is embroidered for those newlyweds who are walking down the aisle not for the first time. Spiritual strength is embroidered for both women and men. The symbol will mean the overall strength of the family and its resistance to external changes.
Slavic dresses: ethno-style and memory of Native roots
Slavic dresses are wedding dresses, ritual and festive clothing, women's shirts, now called tunics.
All of them are sewn from linen, cotton or natural knitted fabrics, and decorated with ornaments. The most common way of applying protective symbols to a Slavic dress is embroidery. Since ancient times, it was believed that every stitch has power: just as sounds in a letter, and letters give rise to a word, and a word is a sentence, so every cross or knot connected into one single ligature can create a powerful energy and information message: attracting good luck, maternal and female share, family protection.
On women's dresses in the Slavic style you will see symbolic images of Beregins and Women in Birth, Lada, Lelya and Mokosh, signs and chirs of Perun, Ladinets, Kolyadnik and Kolovrat. They are the ones who look after their “children”, help them to go through the difficult path of life in Yavi, to be healthy and happy.
It is recommended to keep Slavic wedding dresses as a family heirloom and wear them on occasion: a holiday in honor of our Gods or in illness and trouble.
Bride's shoes and jewelry
Different types of shoes were used for feet in Rus'. In the summer, sandals were often worn. But in severe cold weather, folk felt boots made of wool were always used. This truly Russian type of shoe was sure to be included in every girl’s dowry. And now Russians have a special passion for felt boots. Therefore, if you have chosen a Russian wedding style, and even in winter, these shoes will be the perfect complement to your look. Otherwise, any nice shoes that are similar in color to the outfit will do.
As for the rest of the decorations, there should be a minimum amount of them. The format of the Russian folk wedding costume is already very heavily decorated and does not require additional gloss. It is very easy to overdo it in this case: bright beads, necklaces, bracelets and rings are more suitable for a classic modern wedding dress, but not for a folk style. Let the embroidered sleeves remain the only point that attracts the most attention.
Slavic accessories
To create a complete bridal look, use accessories that will harmoniously fit into the overall ensemble:
- hoop;
- wreath of wild flowers;
- ribbons woven into the hair;
- multi-tiered veil;
- a string of pearls or large bright beads;
- fur;
- a scarf or shawl with tassels (perfect for a photo shoot, when the bride will throw a beautiful scarf over her shoulders or skillfully tie it on her head);
- kokoshnik - ideally complements a traditional wedding sundress;
- lace capes.
For a winter celebration, choose furs and muffs, and for a summer celebration, choose beautiful lace capes, wreaths, pearl beads or bright gemstones. It is better to buy shoes in a neutral shade (white or beige) - when moving, they should not be dissonant with a magnificent dress.
Men's wedding dress
The man at his own wedding was less bright than his wife. The groom's suit included pants and a long sleeve shirt. The second element could be sewn right up to the waist. And all this was tied together with a wide and long belt. This detail was embroidered with the same threads and patterns as a woman’s wedding dress. The sleeves and neck of the shirt were also decorated with symbolic patterns, this signified the wealth of the future young family.
Nowadays, when choosing a folk wedding style, you can choose classic black options as trousers, but you need to work hard with the top. Since the shirt is the main colorful element, it must be made in the style of the bride's outfit. It is worth repeating the color scheme, the type of patterns and embroidery. For the base, you can use red, as it is the most popular color in Rus'.
Taking into account the status
When choosing a wedding look, you can choose a peasant, merchant or even a royal one. But keep in mind that everyone has their own individual characteristics. For a peasant, a linen or cotton dress with an a-line cut (possibly with a high waistline) in the form of a red sundress over a shirt, which must have embroidery on it: on the hem, cuffs, bodice or collar, is suitable.
As a head decoration, the ideal option here would be a wreath of fresh flowers, a headband or a hoop decorated with stones.
How to cover your head?
In general, hats were very important in those days and were an integral attribute of a woman’s image. By their appearance alone one could determine whether a girl was married or not.
If it is an open hoop or ribbon, then the girl is not married. But magpies, kichkas, kokoshniks and other headdresses covering the hair testified to the woman’s married status.
You, for example, have a great opportunity with the help of a “magpie-zaderiha” (decorated with embroidery and precious stones) to turn into a merchant’s wife.
Don’t forget about an elegant kokoshnik, which will help transport you to a fairy-tale world. Just remember the beautiful Princess Swan from “The Tale of Tsar Saltan.”
How to diversify the image?
As for the outfit, the more noble the status of the bride, the more embroidered elements it should have. Here you can’t get away with just a sundress. It is advisable to add a cape embroidered with gold threads in the form of a cloak or padded jacket, a veil and, of course, a crown.
- warms;
- decorates.
It is especially relevant in autumn and winter registrations.
In other words, if you want to completely recreate the Slavic folk flavor of the 17th or late 19th century, then a similar tone will need to be set for the entire event. Including images of guests.
I offer a wedding video in a similar design:
