Kroje (pronounced "kro-yeh") (singular: kroj) are

folk costume A folk costume (also regional costume, national costume, traditional garment, or traditional regalia) expresses an identity through costume, which is usually associated with a geographic area or a period of time in history. It can also indicat ...

s worn by

Czechs The Czechs ( cs, Češi, ; singular Czech, masculine: ''Čech'' , singular feminine: ''Češka'' ), or the Czech people (), are a West Slavic ethnic group and a nation native to the Czech Republic in Central Europe, who share a common ancestry, ...

and Slovaks.

Gothic Gothic or Gothics may refer to: People and languages *Goths or Gothic people, the ethnonym of a group of East Germanic tribes **Gothic language, an extinct East Germanic language spoken by the Goths **Crimean Gothic, the Gothic language spoken b ...

influence is seen in tying shawls and kerchiefs on the head. Fine pleats and gathered lace collars typify the

Renaissance The Renaissance ( , ) , from , with the same meanings. is a period in European history The history of Europe is traditionally divided into four time periods: prehistoric Europe (prior to about 800 BC), classical antiquity (800 BC to AD ...

era. From Baroque bell-shaped skirts to delicate Slavic patterns, these folk costumes show the complex growth of Czech and Slovak traditions.

Types

Kroje had many regional variants with typical decorations and/or colours. There are three basic types of kroj: # the simple one, used in everyday life that looks very similar in all regions. # the celebration one, used for Sunday masses, feasts etc. # the wedding one - used only by a bride or a groom. As it was not reasonable to have a one-purpose clothing, it was often a celebration one upgraded by typical wedding accessories. Kroje are not worn by people in the

Czech Republic The Czech Republic, or simply Czechia, is a landlocked country in Central Europe. Historically known as Bohemia, it is bordered by Austria to the south, Germany to the west, Poland to the northeast, and Slovakia to the southeast. The ...

and

Slovakia Slovakia (; sk, Slovensko ), officially the Slovak Republic ( sk, Slovenská republika, links=no ), is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is bordered by Poland to the north, Ukraine to the east, Hungary to the south, Austria to the s ...

anymore, only during feasts people use them as a living tradition. Kroje started being replaced by modern clothing during the 19th century: it started in bigger cities, and towns and villages followed. It was quicker in Bohemia and industrial regions and of course for male clothing, so on the old photos it is possible to see a father in a suit, but a mother (and possibly children) in a kroj. The last regions where kroje were worn on everyday or almost everyday basis were regions near the border between

Moravia Moravia ( , also , ; cs, Morava ; german: link=yes, Mähren ; pl, Morawy ; szl, Morawa; la, Moravia) is a historical region in the east of the Czech Republic and one of three historical Czech lands, with Bohemia and Czech Silesia. The m ...

and Slovakia –

Moravian Slovakia Moravian Slovakia ( cs, Slovácko, older ''Moravské Slovensko'') or Slovácko is a cultural region in the southeastern part of the Czech Republic, Moravia on the border with Slovakia and Austria, known for its characteristic folklore, music, w ...

, Horňácko,

Moravian Wallachia Moravian Wallachia ( cs, Moravské Valašsko, or simply ''Valašsko''; ro, Valahia Moravă) is a mountainous ethnoregion located in the easternmost part of Moravia in the Czech Republic, near the Slovak border, roughly centered on the cities Vs ...

- where there was possible to meet esp. old women wearing kroje even in the second half of 20th century.

Gallery

Praha - X. Národopisná slavnost v Kinského zahradě 017.jpg, A couple wearing traditional Bohemian kroj from

Prácheňsko Prácheňsko (german: Prachens; la, Provincia Prachinensis) is a historical and cultural region in the Czech Republic, covering roughly the Otava River basin, mostly in the northwest part of South Bohemia. It was an administrative region in southw ...

area Moravian Slovak Costumes during Jizda Kralu.jpg, The folk costume of kroj seen in Vlčnov in

Svět knihy 2010 - Dětský folklórní soubor 1.JPG, Kroje from

Spomienka na 155.výročie úmrtia Ľudovíta Štúra.jpg, Folk costumes of Slovakia Hontianska parada 2003-DSC01169.JPG, Slovak kroj from the Hont region Texas Tourist Development Agency - Attractions, Activities, and Events 1991077 002 (18097084333).jpg, Czech Americanized kroj from

Ennis, Texas Ennis () is a city in eastern Ellis County, Texas. It is on the edge of the blackland prairie region of Texas. The population is 20,159 according to the 2020 census, with an estimated population of 21,210 in 2021. Ennis is home to the annual Nat ...

, 1976

Sources

*A promotional brochure from the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library

Slovak clothing Folk costumes Czech culture {{clothing-stub