It has always been the most prominent feature of folk culture in Slovácko and it still can be seen thanks to ethnical ensembles, Slovácko´s clubs and folk costume bands, when there is folk costume ball or feast, pilgrimage or folklore festivals. The folk costume has undergone major developments over the past decade, some of its parts or variants completely disappeared, and in these days mainly ceremonial costume of single girls and young men is preserved.
The folk costume of Podluží
Costumes from Podluží belongs to the most spectacular ones in Slovácko. Single boys wear red cloth trouser-leg, which are richly embroidered with blue cotton, wide open sleeves shirts are of fi ne linen, decorated with embroidery stripes and fi - nished with wide lace. They put over the shirt short decorated waist coat („lajbl“) with attached cockade, ribbon. The headgear worn by single boys is a hat called „guláč“ (on the south Podluží) or „húseňák“ (on the north Podluží). It may not even miss the most famous symbol of the region known as „kosířek“, that is bleached feather of heron. All the boys then put on high leather boots with running silk tassels, brass horse-shoes and colorful embroidery on the shin.
Single girls dress on the most festive day pier sleeves, over them then brightly embroidered short waist coat and irreplaceable combination of up to six starchy white farthingales and overskirt in pastel tones. On their heads they wear red hats called „rožky“ with a charming upright ribbon of four loops, the same pattern is repeated even on the long bow running from the neck. The most valuable parts of girls‘ costumes are richly embroidered aprons „fěrtochy“, collars of sleeves called „límec“ and lace „tacle. Girls put on pleated high boots.
Folk Costume of Čejkovice
Costume from Čejkovice belongs to the southern Hanácko-Slovácko group and boys´festive costume remains typical black cloth trouser leg with wide embroidery and black short waist-coat „Kordula“. Black embroidery is applied on the ceremonial shirt too. Most attractive is however fancy headgear called „šmukáč“, with several feathers of heron and cascade of ribbons.
Single women‘s festive costume keeps the original type of sleeves with lay embroidery collar. Waist-coats, aprons and even the top skirts are currently in a very nicely harmonized pastel shades and the most prominent feature is the original head kerchief hold. Unlike in Podluží, girls put on lower lace shoes with brass hooks.
The folk costumes of the south Kyjov
This group includes frequently worn costumes from Ratíškovice and Dubňany. Single boys dress narrow trouser leg of blue cloth with a rich black embroidery, inserted into the high plain boots. Black embroidery is repeated even on the white shirt with loose sleeves fi nished with needlework. Over the shirt, incised decorated waist-coat is worn with painted running ribbons and as a headgear they put on black hat „širáček“ with colorful chenille and essential feather of heron..
Single women catch your attention with black embroidered leeves with lay and again in black embroidered collar. The sleeves above the elbow have a balloon shape („kadrle“). Red wide skirts to the knees should be slightly shorter than white petticoat. The apron is most brightly decorated – is fi nished with needlework („fěrtoch“) and very expressive head kerchief hold it.
Folk costume of Rohatec
Costume from Rohatec has developed into a separate type, limited to one village. Festive male costume is similar to the previous type, is signifi cant with lining on the trouser legs and with decorated hat with a feather.
Women‘s costume options are very original. Mainly black embroidery applies on the wide sleeves and the authentic binding of kerchief. The richest part of this costume used to be a wedding bonnet with pearls, inlaid with small mirrors and completed with a large bow with richly decorated ribbons.
Ethnographic celebration „Podluží in songs and dances“ in Tvrdonice
The largest showcase of folk costumes, folk music and demonstration of ancient customs and traditions of the region, can be seen each year on the folklore festival Podluží in songs and dances, in the village Tvrdonice. Since 1946, the fi rst weekend in June happens meeting of all generations of lovers of folklore in the local folklore ethnographic complex.
