Women's costume of Corfu Women's costume of Corfu

In the bridal or festive costume of Corfu, the undergarments are a white bodice and the “roketo”, a gathered petticoat of fine calico. Over those is the skirt (“velessi” or “abito”) of pale blue taffeta with a gold-embroidered hem. The chest is covered by the white “boustina”, a knitted white dickey. The waist belt is called the “chrysozoni” or “chrysokimero”. Next comes the “zipouni”, a short sleeveless waistcoat which leaves the whole of the bust exposed and is fastened with gold cufflinks (“fioumbes”). The outer sleeved “kondogouni” (jacket, known as the “pesseli” or “kremezo”) is made of garnet-red velvet adorned with gold embroidery. The bridal apron is made of white tulle and covered all over with multicoloured wool embroidery and with bows and stars made of multicoloured ribbons. The headdress (“yadema” or “stolos”) is worn by the bride for the first time on her wedding day, and from then on she wears it every day for the rest of her life. The old hairstyle has been replaced by the “torkos”, a sort of ‘wreath’ formed of four long black coils of hair (“boumbaria”) bound with red ribbons (“staftades”). It is adorned with flowers, little mirrors, fine wire spirals, feathers and the “bolia” (scarf), which is starched and attached to the back of the torkos, rising to a high peak in front. An essential accessory of the torkos is a peacock feather. The earrings are “verges” and “kambanes”, and round the neck is a chain fastened to a filigree brooch on the chest called the “ilios” (sun). Three more gold brooches of different sizes are known as the “spiles”. Another indispensable item is the “stavros me tin korona” (gold cross with a crown) embellished with pearls and multicoloured semi-precious stones. Peloponnesian Folklore Foundation Collection