Montenegro’s national costume is defined by rich embroidery, and by the status it once signalled.
Men’s and women’s dress
The men’s outfit includes a round red cap with a black rim and gold embroidery, a white collared shirt, an embroidered sleeveless vest and trousers that are wide at the waist and narrow below the knee, finished with leather opanci shoes. Women wore garments such as the long bran dress with a five-fold skirt, and embroidered damask or silk skirts for formal occasions. Silk aprons with gold embroidery were kept for festivities.
Gold embroidery and status
Gold embroidery is the costume’s hallmark, and the Directorate for the Protection of Cultural Heritage has declared costume making and gold embroidery a protected intangible asset. A costume takes about three months to make. The biggest differences in style lie between the coast, including the Boka Bay, and the central parts of the country.
Sources: My Guide Montenegro: National Costume of Montenegro.
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