Alsunga Women's Folk CostumeFold-out, Latvian State Printing House, 1958

WOMEN'S NATIONAL COSTUME OF THE ALSUNGA DISTRICT

The Alsunga district festive national dress was particularly decorative.

The so-called "mehlené" was worn about the shoulders — a dark blue woollen shawl with an embroidery of bronze spiral patterns along its lower edge, and large square sun-shaped designs worked in spirals in the corners. Bronze pendants were attached all along the lower edge of the shawl.

A second shawl, or "sagsha" was worn over the "mehlené". This was white, bordered with interwoven patterns in blue and green. The "sagsha" was arranged so as to show the spiral design of the "mehlené" underneath it. The "sagsha" (upper shawl) was fastened in front with a gilded and embossed brooch, the so-called "dizhsakta", which means "grand brooch". This was richly set with coloured glass.

But more frequently than the above-mentioned two shawls, the so-called "crazy cloth" was worn — a woollen shawl in large chequers of bright red, yellow, and black, which was put about the shoulders and also fixed in front with the ornamental "dizhsakta". It probably derives its name "crazy cloth" from its gay colouring.

The blouse had a high stand-up collar, decorated with a pattern worked in little glass beads and tubes against a foundation solidly covered with embroidery in coloured wool. The cuffs were wide, usually embroidered in white, sometimes In other colours. The blouse was fastened at the neck with a small silver brooch ("sakta").

The skirt was made of bright red or violet material woven into a pattern of tiny droplets. It started above the waistline and was attached to a small bodice. A black woollen jacket was worn on top, with rows of embroidery in red, yellow, pud green. The jacket reached to the waist, slightly extending in front. An ornamental woven sash was tied about the waist.

Young girls wore a special kind of coronet, the "spangu" coronet. It consisted of a narrow strip of red cloth to which a thin bronze band was attached with round bronze clasps or "spangas". Hence its name.