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Men’s traditional folk costume, West Kraków region

1870/1930

The State Ethnographic Museum in Warsaw

The State Ethnographic Museum in Warsaw
Warsaw, Poland

A Cracow costume is the only peasants' attire which was promoted to the rank of a Polish national costume. This decision was made on patriotic grounds, with the Cracow's peasants’ participation in the Kościuszko Uprising as a main factor. Even the Uprising's leader, Tadeusz Kościuszko, used to wear the Cracow costume (so he dressed "like a peasant") just so that he would not be recognised by Russian spies. Kościuszko's popularity contributed to the popularisation of the Cracow costume among the Poles in general. Some of the costume's elements were applied to the uniforms worn by participants of the 19th century national uprisings. This popularity of the Cracowian costume, especially in its female version, was then reinforced by the Cracow’s intelligence of the Young Poland (Młoda Polska) movement, who promoted it as a new fashion.

Details

  • Title: Men’s traditional folk costume, West Kraków region
  • Date Created: 1870/1930
  • Location Created: Cracow area, Małopolska region
  • Type: folk costume
  • Photographer: Łukasz Zandecki
  • Medium: textiles, openwork stich on shirt

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