Our Costumes

CRETE

The women’s costume of Crete can vary from town to town. The one depicted above is from Anogeia. It consists of light muslin cotton bloomers, a full dress with embroidered trim, a characteristic wrapped skirt called the “sartsa” that is red with either black or dark blue border, a velvet, embroidered jacket, embroidered apron and distinct headscarf that is red with gold fringe. The men’s costume can be either a black or dark blue vraka (short riding pant) which can be the full baggy version (pictured above) or a less full tan colored pant. The shirt can be black (sign of mourning) or white. There is a dark blue, embroidered woolen vest and wide sash. The leather riding boots can be black (working weekdays) or white (Sundays and feast days or weddings). On the head is worn a headpiece with finely crochetted black fringe that hangs over the eyes, representing tears of mourning due to a tragedy at a monastery many years ago. The men also wear a silver chain that would typically hold a watch at the end, tucked into the sash or small pocket of the vest.