Regional peculiarities of the folk costume
Estonian folk costumes vary quite largely by region.

Traditions were very slow to fade, and changes in clothing took place by single details.

Apart from the social status of the wearer, clothing also identified their place of birth. Differences were especially obvious in women�s clothing, and they often became distinctive in neighbouring parishes. In men�s clothing variations were much smaller, usually being differentiated by county.

Folk costumes in southern Estonia were characterized by the persistence of several ancient garments even as late as in the 19th century.

Clothing in southern Estonia could be divided into several clearly differentiated groups. For example, in the region where the Mulgi dialect was spoken, people wore linen shirts of a primitive cut, black woollen long-coats, tied kerchiefs, linen and woollen shoulder shawls, one-color skirts and hip-sashes even in the 19th century. Men wore old-fashioned long trousers.

Woollen garments in southern Võrumaa were light-colored�grey or white. From Võrumaa the usage of red cotton yarn in embroideries and knitted patterns started to spread, as well as the red woollen cord in the embellishments of coats. Old-fashioned cuts and styles persisted.

Elsewhere in southern Estonia women started to wear small headdresses (coifs), which were made of white linen fabric and decorated with lace, as well as waistcoats and cardigans with a folded strip of cloth along the lower edge. At the beginning of the 19th century vertically str.....

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