Bridal or festive costume from Soufli

The bridal and festive costume of Soufli differs from those of other places in Thrace. Its distinctive feature is the caftan (“kaftani”), a sleeved, open-fronted dress made of striped silk from Syria. The bias-cut side panels jut out sharply to right and left at the hips. The chemise is of natural-coloured local silk. The costume is completed with a “thymiati” apron of exquisite workmanship. Round the waist is an articulated copper belt of the Thracian type, the “korona”, an engagement present from the bridegroom-to-be. Characteristic features of the distinctive headdress are the “mag’lika” and the silver “paounia” (special silver head ornaments). Peloponnesian Folklore Foundation Collection