In general, the traditional Romanian garb is richly decorated and has much embroidery, with red or black geometric motifs. The stylistic unity of the traditional Romanian garb calls to mind the garments of the ancient Dacians, as represented on the bas-reliefs on the Roman monuments erected after the Roman conquest of Dacia.
At present, national costumes are worn on certain occasions, e.g. weddings, fairs or folk holidays, on Sundays and during the great religious celebrations. This happens, however, only in the regions where traditions have been kept. These are the old ôLandsö of the Middle Ages, such as the Apuseni Mountains, the Maramure║ Land and the Oa║ Land, the VΓlcea Region, the Fπgπra║ Mountains area, the Vrancea Land, the Arge║ and Olt Valley areas, the Bistri■a Mountains, Bucovina, etc.
The traditional blouses worn by women are made of white linen and are tied with a string at the neck. They have long sleeves and are richly embroideredùthis is how one is represented in the celebrated painting by the French painter Henri Matisse. In Maramure║, the main feature of this piece of clothing is its very simplicityùfew embroideries and the square neckline.
The skirts are made of dark colored thick cloth and wrapped around over other garments made of white cloth. The sxact cut and decorations vary with the region. The skirts may be straight and tight, with various metallic ornaments sewn on the bottom part, as in Bucovina and Moldova; they may be more richly colored, with red, blue, and green embroidery on a black background, as in Wallachia; they may be made of two pieces, one worn in front and the other one behind, with or without tassels, perhaps including some silk, but still looking quite sober, as in central Transylvania; or they may be straight or pleated, made of one or two pieces, and decorated with various motives in Oltenia. In Maramure║, they are made of cloth and have alternating horizontal red and black stripes as decorations.
According to tradition, married women cover their head with a fine gossamer veil, a simple white carf decorated with lace, or a batik with flowery decorations on a white background. Old women have a black scarf or a white cloth wrapped around their heads.
The sleeveless winter jackets or vests are richly decorated. Worn by women, men and children alike, the winter jackets are made of thick cloth or sheep skin, and are minutely embroidered with floral or geometric motives. Marten fur is added on the margins. In Maramure║, the colours may also be darker, but the amount of decoration contrasts with the simplicity and whiteness of the other pieces.
Men trousers (known variedly as ôcioareci,ö ôi■ari,ö ôizmene,ö or ôgaciö) are generally white or black, according to the natural color of the wool. They may carry black or white embroidery. In Maramure║, the typical large and short trousers are tightened to the waist by a leather or cloth belt.
The sheep wool cap, which is the most widely spread piece in the Romanian national costume, is replaced in Maramure║ by a simple black hat. It is only in few areas, such as Oa║ or Bistri■a-Nπsπud, that the tradition of men wearing hats decorated with multicoloured feathers has been preserved.
