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Valley Bridal Dress from the village of Krivogashtani, Prilep region
The Valley National Dress of the Prilep region is found in most of the settlements of the Prilep valley, i.e. in the north-east part of the Pelagonia plain. It is similar to the dress in the Bitola valley and forms a complete whole with it, except for certain minor differences in the nuances of color and the embroidery technique. In the Prilep valley dress flame redValley Bridal Dress and blood yellow are the dominant colors, while in the Bitola valley dress the dominant colors are blood yellow and black. The costume of this area (Prilep valley area) is one of the most decorative and richly ornamented, especially abounding in metal and bead ornaments. A slight Byzantine influence makes itself felt via the old "boljar" costume, particularly in the manner of veiling and the decoration of the clothes. This costume is one of the most over elaborate in Macedonia, especially the bridal dress. The brides wear:
  • Smock "golema", almost entirely covered with embroidery on the sleeves (the decorations used are "vrteshkki" circles). The fronts and the "okolizhot" - the border round the skirt, are embroidered with "shapkite" - formalised blossoms and "kopito poli" - horseshoes.
  • Cuffs knitted of multi-colored woolen thread and worn on the arms below the elbow.
  • Upper garment of broadcloth called "valanka" ornamented with embroidered facings with gold and yellow thread. The seams are trimmed with tufted fringe and braid.
  • Cuffs of white handwoven linen, entirely embroidered with a drawn pattern of whirls and trimmed with beads, gold thread, and silver coins.
  • Girdle plaited from black wool.
  • "Chulter", an apron which is a special part of the bridal dress, folkweave, patterned with "kolci" (rhomboids), "krshchinja" (crosses), and trimmed at the hemline with red tufted fringe, gold thread ribbon, and braid.
  • "Potkolchelniche", an ornament worn below the girdle at the back, i.e. under the "kocelj" , from with it received it's name (potkochelniche means under the kocelj). This is made of beads and trimmed with old silver coins.
  • Buckles with clips, metal ornaments for the belt. Silversmith's work.
  • "Kopec", a silver ornament to go under the belt, trimmed with old silver coins with seven rows of chains.
  • "Uskolec", a beadwork ornament worn at the sides of the belt.
  • Scarves trimmed with old silver coins and edged with gold thread ribbon, industrially manufactured.
  • Necklace in the form of a stomacher, trimmed with old silver coins, mounted with broadcloth.
  • Flame-colored socks, knitted and patterned with formalised blossoms.
  • Slippers, made of cowhide - homemade.
  • Fes, a head dress with rows of old silver coins - "tunturici", which hang down the sides of the face. The silver boss is ornamented with various colored stones and trimmed with pendants. Above the fes there is a garland of spruce.
  • White broadcloth towel decorated with embroidery and two rows of old coins.
  • "Kocelj", a hair decoration made from black twisted woolen fringe. It is worn hanging down the shoulders.

Obtained from the Macedonia FAQ website.
A project of Macedonia.org
URL: http://faq.Macedonia.org/
 

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