Local costume of Astypalaia Bridal costume of Astypalaia

The bridal or festive costume of Astypalaia, the “chrysomandilo” takes its name from the gold-embroidered, pearl-encrusted frontlet of its headdress. The basis of the headdress consists of the “margaritarenia skoufia” (pearl-encrusted cap), the “kouloura” (coil) and the two “bolies” (scarves), one yellow (called “asimenia”, literally ‘silver’) and the other white with embroidered ends (the “panomoustouchia”). The headdress is secured with long silver pins (“kombovelones”) and decorated with artificial flowers at the temples. The “skolopendrato” chemise is renowned for its embroideries, which cover the whole of the sleeves. The sleeved silk dress (“zatouni”) is made of flowered satin imported from Constantinople. The ornaments include “verges” (earrings), the “zonari” (sash) and the two “zosies” forming the chain-link belt with its “kremasidi” (pendant). Peloponnesian Folklore Foundation Collection