Culture Costumes Sfakiani women’s costume Sfakiani women’s costume Σφακιανή γυναικεία φορεσιά
Placeholder content: the costumes, colours and descriptions are stand-ins and not yet checked. The drawings are schematic, not reconstructions.
Parts of the costume Tap a piece to see it on the costume.
1 Headscarf Red or crimson, tied on the head. 2 Shirt White, of silk or cotton, with rich embroidery or lace at the cuffs. 3 Zipouni Of medium length, in black, brown or crimson velvet, worked in gold. The long-sleeved meitani or the sleeveless saltamarka could be worn instead. 4 Apron White, richly embroidered. 5 Skirt Many-pleated, crimson or brown, with two broad gold bands at the hem. 6 Jewellery Coins sewn on the headscarf, chest and waist, bracelets and rings; and a small woman’s knife in the sash. Not shown on the drawing 7 Bodice In the drawing, the front of the body under the outer garments. The sources describe no separate waistcoat. 8 Waist In the drawing, the waist. The sources describe no sash.
Costume Women’s
Occasion Festive The festive dress of Sfakia, also worn across western Crete, is the more widespread of the two main types of Cretan women’s costume. It has a many-pleated skirt in crimson or brown with gold bands at the hem, a white embroidered apron and a velvet zipouni worked in gold. The jewellery on the chest, neck and waist showed the woman’s standing.
Danced in it All 13 dances More from the region All costumes: Crete