Gypsy culture was regarded largely in fear and a mystic fascination. Perhaps this is the reason why the traditional Gypsy costume was among the earliest non-fantastical costume types worn during Halloween. It was mainly a costume for children.
During the 19th Century, the Gypsies had span across the Atlantic from Europe and become part of the American cultural dynasty. It was then that a relatively exact Gypsy costume was replicated by Native Americans as a costume. The traditional gypsy costume was very standard for both women and men, in America and Europe since the Renaissance period. Being nomads, the Gypsies were not influenced by fashion changes.
A traditional Gypsy outfit can be hand made from home or bought from a shop, but it will be much the same. It basically consisted of a mixture of bold and bright colors. The most widely used colors were red and yellow. Gypsies avoided white like the plague, for white was the color of death, morning and grief.
Men wore baggy trousers and loose shirts while women wore long and full skirts reaching almost to the ankles. These skirts were pleated in many layers while the blouses had a pair of puffed sleeves. One unique feature about the blouses was that it was really low-cut, even in today’s’ standards. All married women wore a colorful headscarf, especially during ceremonial gatherings. Women would also wear tons of jewelery, which is a basic part of the costume even today. They wore gold for earrings, necklaces, bracelets and beautification coins attached to clothes, scarves or even woven into the hair.
Though the traditional Gypsy costume for men includes a bright scarf worn around the waists or neck, it featured a simple and easygoing attitude. A peasant shirt worn under a very loose vest in contrasting colors and then the buggy trousers tucked into the stereotypical knee-high boots.
Tags: baggy trousers, bracelets, bright scarf, earrings, full skirts, Gypsy culture, Gypsy outfit, hand made, jewelery, knee-high boots, loose shirts, mystic, necklaces, peasant shirt, traditional Gypsy costume
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