Czech Traditional Woman's Dress: "Kroj"

This is a traditional woman's outfit from the Czech Republic. There are many varieties of costumes, called "kroje", in the country. Each county has its own costume, and even in each village within that county, the outfit varies.

The kroj consists of layers of different pieces. Billowing skirts are worn over different starched petticoats. The skirts may be made of flax linen, hemp, serge, wool, satin, or brocade fabric. Solid colors, such as red with stripes or hand embroidered floral designs, and pastels are the predominant colors. Skirts are gathered or pleated at the waist.

The back skirt is made of stiffly starched accordion pleated cotton. It is generally black.

The blouses are always made of white cotton, linen, or organdy, trimmed with panels of embroidery and edged in white lace, or eyelet. Some of the women's enormously puffed pillow lace sleeves were filled with tissue paper to fill them out, then gathered and tied at the elbow with brightly colored ribbon. The collar is made of pleated Czech lace.

The embroidered vest is trimmed in ribbon.  Vests are made of broadcloth, velvet, wool, or satin with buttons or string laced in front. Some are intricately embroidered with colorful gold and silver thread in crewel patterns, beaded and sequined and decorated with insets of ribbon and pom poms on the back of the vest.

An apron is worn over the top of the skirt. Some are black adorned with elaborate embroidery and lace trimming. There are also white aprons made of cotton or organdy with lace and embroidery.

Headwear designs vary from a brightly decorated cap made of beads, pearls, flowers, multicolored stones, and mirrored bangles to a plain white cap edged in lace with a large bow. Also a floral wreath or a large scarf is worn over the head. The marital status and age of the wearer dictates what combination of headwear is worn.
Source:
http://www.czechheritage.org/CountyPages/kroje.html
http://www.czechheritage.net/herifolk.html
http://czechcostumes.blogspot.com/