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

RENDA WOMEN'S NATIONAL COSTUME

This costume was a variety of that of the Kuldiga district. To it belonged a white «sagsha» or shawl bordered with a narrow line of interwoven blue ornaments, and trimmed with white fringes.

Like in the Kuldīga district, the blouse had a stand-up collar embroidered in blue wool. The attached yoke had a band of fancy embroidery in white linen. Small ornaments embroidered in dark blue adorned the cuffs. The blouse was fastened at the neck with a little round silver «sakta» (brooch), either plain, or with a dented brim.

The skirt was black with stripes in well matched shades of yellow and brown. It started above the waist and was kept up by shoulder straps made of a different material.

A black and white linen underskirt was not uncommon. The skirt was trimmed with red cord, with a row of fine criss-cross embroidery above it.

The belt — the so-called «slengené» — consisted of a chain with six little square bronze plates in front, which were either engraved or embossed, each in a different design

Young girls wore the «spangu» coronet. Married women tied three coloured silken or woollen kerchiefs round their heads. The first was knotted on the forehead, the second — under the chin, the third was fastened under the chin with a small «sakta» (brooch).