Georgian national costume

The traditional costume of the Georgian people dates back to the 9th century. It was during this period during the time of the Khazar Kaganate that the outerwear of the Caucasian peoples appeared under the name chokha, which is translated from the Turkic languages ​​as "cloth, matter for clothes"... Such outerwear was common among both men and women, and was worn all year round.

It is rather difficult to judge the appearance of the national costumes of the Georgians of that time, as well as of other Caucasian peoples, since no precise descriptions of the clothes of the inhabitants of the Caucasus have survived.

A distinctive feature of the Georgian costume is the presence of gas boxes on the chest on both sides. This name is given to special chest pockets, which have small compartments for storing powder charges - gases. These pockets appeared on the outer clothing of Georgians not so long ago with the proliferation of firearms. Initially, gazyrs were stored in bags over the shoulder or on the belt, but later, for convenience, such pockets were invented, which became a characteristic feature of the Georgian suit.

The Georgian national costume in the modern world plays an important role in various festive events that require respect for the traditions of their people. At the beginning of the last century, traditional clothing in Georgia, like in many other countries, began to fade into the background.Young people preferred simpler and more comfortable clothes to elegant and slightly pretentious national costumes. However, even today, many young people and girls are happy to wear modern clothes with traditional Georgian motives as a sign of respect and reverence for their people.

6 Chokhi colors are typical for the Georgian national dress.

Black color in clothes was the prerogative of noble people. Wealthy people wore black clothes not only in everyday life, but also preferred them for special occasions.

Regardless of gender and social status, the Georgian costume looks quite strict, but at the same time chic. The fabrics were chosen quite strong and durable. Wealthy people could afford silk and velvet suits. Lace could be an adornment for such luxurious outfits for the warm season, and noble furs in the cold months.

The wedding dress of the bride was distinguished by special luxury at all times. Although outwardly it was similar to a casual women's suit, the wedding dress was always sewn only from white fabric. An important component was the precious decoration of the bride's dress.

Wedding dresses were embroidered with gold or silver thread, and also decorated with various applications. Regardless of the family's financial situation, the bride's outfit had to look rich.

A national velvet headdress with a light scarf was worn on the bride's head, with which the bride covered her face.

The Georgian women, who wore the traditional costumes of their people, looked pretty smart even in everyday life. A dress called kartuli, although it hid the legs of women, had a rather tight-fitting cut at the top. The corset part of the dress was decorated with various decorative elements. It could be braid or embroidery with beads and stones.

In addition to a dress, a woman's outfit necessarily implied the presence of a belt.... It could be silk or velvet. The belt was also decorated with decorative original embroidery or pearls and tied so that all its charm would fall along the female silhouette and be in a conspicuous place.

Outerwear of Georgians is called katibi. It was usually sewn from velvet and silk fabrics of bright colors, natural furs or cotton wool were used as insulation, the lining of such clothes was made of silk.

As a headdress, women used a thin veil called lechaki. The fabric on the head was fixed with a silk roller of a mine stuffed with cotton wool, as well as a rim of chichi made of cardboard covered with velvet fabric. A veil was worn over all this structure, which was later replaced with a kerchief called baghdadi.

As footwear, women from ordinary families wore hard leather boots called kalamani. For women from noble families, there were velvet shoes with heels and without heels. The toes of such shoes, called koshi, were bent upward.

Products made from natural stones such as coral and amber were widely used as decorations. Women's hairstyles consisted of interlacing braids and curls that covered the temporal part.

The national costume for the girl was sewn in the likeness of a woman's attire, but without excessive luxury.

Since the children are very active, shorter versions of the suit were allowed for added convenience. The color scheme could also differ from the monotonous adult clothing and be complemented by bright shades.

For boys, suits were also sewn in the likeness of men.

The traditional Georgian costume consisted of shendish lower pants and true wide trousers or sharovals made of black or burgundy fabric, which did not hinder movement. A shirt called a peranga was worn on top.

Outerwear was selected in accordance with the season and social status and was divided into several types:

• Circassian or as the Georgians call it Chokha. This item of men's wardrobe was considered a must at any time of the year. The Circassian was worn over a caftan and belted with belts embossed in silver or common metal. In this case, the belt performed not just a decorative function; men attached a dagger or saber to it, which were also part of the Georgian national costume.

Initially, this outer garment was made of sheep or camel wool. Lighter fabrics such as cotton are used today. The length of the Circassian is usually just below the knees, the cut is rather loose, but emphasizes the male silhouette. The chokha has fasteners from the top to the waist line. On the chest there are pockets for storing gunpowder, which today distinguish the Georgian costume from the rest.

Usually chokha does not have a collar, but in some variations a stand-up collar may be present. The sleeves of this garment are usually wide and elbow-length, which allowed free movement during combat. Long sleeves at the chokhi were acceptable for the elderly. Today there are different types with different sleeve lengths.

• Kaba... Wealthy people from noble and princely families wore this type of outerwear, sewn from silk of a dense structure. For the finishing of the kaba, a black silk cord was used, from which the fasteners were also created.

• Kuladzha. This item of men's wardrobe for people from the nobility was intended for special occasions... Kulaja was a short-length dress worn over clothing. Velvet of different colors was used for sewing ceremonial dresses. Natural fur could be used as decorative elements. With kuladzha they always wore an astrakhan fur hat.
• Kurka and Pabadi... For the winter months, Georgians used a hammer. It was a fur coat decorated with embroidery with gold and silver thread. Also, in the cold season, they wore pabadis.

Such clothes of white, black or brown color are also called burka. In the winter months, the head was covered with a hat, which was sewn from astrakhan or sheepskin.

In addition to the papakha, which is characteristic of the highlanders, the Georgians wore other headdresses, depending on their geographic location. So, in different regions, they wore hats made of felt, and a hood called kabal ahi, and even hats with small brims.

As shoes of men's national dress, Georgians were also widespread: koshas - among the wealthy estates, Kalamani - among the poor. For the rich, there were still leather revenge on flat soles, as well as tsagi - leather boots, which were often decorated even with precious stones.