The traditional costumes of Bulgaria are an amazing heritage of this Balkan European state because they come from the entire historical and ethnic territory of the Bulgarians. The traditional dress of Bulgaria is usually made with the materials like flax, hemp, wool, silk, and cotton.
Bulgarian folk dancers in traditional dresses – Image: Heather Kashmera
The traditional dress of Bulgaria has fabulous features as they are elegantly woven; having spectacular composition along with the incredible color combinations. The traditional dress of Bulgaria is embellished with bright embroidery done with coins, beads and silk luster.
A Bulgarian lady in her exquisite traditional costume : Image © PanaComp
The traditional dresses for women in Bulgaria include dvuprestilchena (costume with two aprons), sukmanena (dress /gown type), sayana (saya – a dress with a slash in front), and ednoprestilchena (a single-apron costume). In the past, these traditional costumes were entirely home-made prepared with lots of hard work and awesome designs.
A Bulgarian women in her traditional dress – Image : Anyka from Belgium
The traditional men clothing in Bulgaria were “white” and “black” costumes. The “white” male clothing consists of a chemise, gashti, benevretsi, dimii (tight or looser breeches, pants), poyas (wide girdle), belt and top clothes made of white home-spun fulled freeze. Upper garments modify the silhouette of the costume, whereas its decoration performs linear embroidered patterns and gaytani (coloured woolen bands/braids) on the bosom and the chest, on the sleeves and the leggings. Very impressive samples are kept from Belogradchik, Trân, Lom, Botevgrad, Vratsa and Nikopol regions.
A Bulgaria lady and Bulgarian man in traditional costumes – Image: Cliff Norton
The “black” men dress consists of a chemise, poturi (loose trousers), girdle, belt and a top garment: elek, dzhamadan (vest),aba, anteriya (jacket with sleeves) made of black woolen frieze. The poturi are loose with a rich decoration of black braids. Most impressive are the collections from the Sliven, Yambol, Silistra and Smolyan regions.
A Pomak bride of Bulgaria
The Slavik people of Bulgaria who are commonly known as Pomak community are Muslims and they have unique traditions and culture. The Pomak weddings are also an interesting occasion and the bride prepares herself in an exclusive and individual manner. The traditional dress of Bulgaria is truly the symbol of the centuries old culture of this beautiful country.
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