Latvian folk costume. Women's costume of the Ventspils region. 1960 postcard 9.5x14 cm

  A white "sagsha", or shawl, was worn in the Ventspils district with several rows of narrow blue and red stripes or "ridzes" along the bottom edge and side edges, and embroidery in criss-cross pattern between the stripes. A broad trimming worked in coloured thread on little sticks — the "celu apauds" — finished the side edges, its loose threads tied together into tassels. The sagsha was draped about both shoulders and fastened in front with a large silver "sakta" (brooch). Sometimes the sagsha was violet, but ornamented in the same way as the white one. Married women wore black and white chequered woollen shawls called "vihkalés".

  The blouse had a stand-up collar with attached yoke and culfed sleeves, all embroidered in one-way drawn-thread work. A silver "sakta" (brooch), either plain, or spangled with red glass, fastened the blouse at the neck.

  The skirt was woven of red yarn. Before dying the yarn it was tied into knots at regular intervals, thus leaving white patches which formed in the process of weaving a fine droplet — pattern of cross stripes. The skirt was either gathered at the waist, or arranged in small pleats that were later pressed down. The front remained fiat. The skirt was attached to a bodice of the same material, and girdled with a belt, the so-called "slengené".

  A black, dark blue or green woollen jacket completed the dress. It finished above the waist, slightly lower in front, and closed with bronze hooks that were covered with soldered little knobs.

  Young girls would wear the same kind of "spangu" coronet as was worn in the Kuldiga district. When starting out on a distant trip they would cover it with a silken kerchief.

  Married women wore two coloured silken kerchiefs, one tied about the forehead, the other under the chin.