GEORGIAN NATIONAL CLHOTES
traditional costumes in Georgia were formed by the influence of nature and way of life in this country.
Every man was a warrior, a farmer and a shepherd at the same time. And every woman was (and still
is) a housewife, but there are very strict rules to the behaviour of Georgian women. They must be
modest and devout. Traditionally they couldn't show their body to strange men, only to their
husbands. That's why national men costumes tend to be comfortable and warm, and women costumes
in Georgia tend to be hooded and modest, but very beautiful and feminine. Nowadays these rules are
not so strict, but national clothing still displays Georgian traditions and laws.
Traditional Georgian clothing was distributed until the end of 19th-the beginning of 20th centuries.
Georgian national men's costumes
Traditional men's costumes in Georgia consist of an undershirt (it is named "piranha"), underpants
"sheidishy", wide trousers "sharvali" and a kind of jacket named chokha. Chokha is the most
interesting and iconic Georgian piece of clothing. It is made of wool (black, grey, white, blue, red or
brown fabric), it has long sleeves and laps, and it must have a belt with a stiletto on it.
Georgian national women's costumes
Traditional women's clothing in Georgia is very beautiful. It is a long dress called "kartuli", tightly
belted, with ornate bodice and long laps. The belt is beautifully decorated, almost floor-length.
Georgian headdress needs special attention. It consists of "lechaki" (triangle white veil of tulle),
"kopi" (thin bolster made of silk and cotton), "chikhta" (cardboard rim sewed with velvet),
"baghdadi" (dark kerchief), and "chadri" (large calico veil, that covers the whole body with the
exception of face or only eyes.