Lithuanian folk costume. Women's folk costumes in the Klaipeda region. 1960 postcard 10.5x14.5 cm

  The female holiday attire of the Klaipeda region is original and interesting though it is not notable for richness of colour. The decorativeness of the attire as a whole is based on the contrast of its separate parts. The dark skirt and bodice ("kiklikas") contrast sharply with the white blouse and the apron.

  The blouse is made of thin white linen. A broad belt in a red picked pattern ("rinktinis rastas") adornes the sleeves below the shoulders. The blouse is collar-less, with a low-cut neck, gathered, and decorated with fine plaiting. Fine plaiting decorates the bottom part of the sleeves too. The sleeves are wide, sewn in at the neck.

  The skirt is chequered. The checks are formed by narrow dark longitudinal and broad light-coloured transverse stripes. The skirt is pleated.

  The bodice ("Kiklikas") of small-pattern fabric is short, with a-wide neck-cut and white frilling along the edge. The bodice is fastened with decorative clasps made of the same fabric.

  The apron is made of white cloth with a grey picked pattern ("rinktinis rastas") aligned in longitudinal stripes. The lower edge of the apron is bordered by a fringed band of the same cloth woven or embroidered with an elaborate pattern.

  The head-dress consists of. a cap made of a band of patterned cloth. The upper rim of the crown is crocheted round and adorned with frilling. On each side of the cap hang patterned bands of tissue.

  The waist is girdled with a woven belt. The shoulders are covered with a shawl.