Vidzeme
Vidzeme is located in Central and Northern Latvia. Traditional clothing styles here are rooted in the clothing of the ancient Latgalians and Livonians and the area’s subsequent socio-economic development. There are several regions each with its own distinctive style: Western Vidzeme, Northern Vidzeme, Lielvārde, Piebalga, Eastern Vidzeme, and Krustpils. Even though culturally and historically Krustpils belongs with the Vidzeme tradition, today it is part of the province of Latgale. The lands on the left bank of the Daugava also belong to Vidzeme today, but historically and culturally were part of Zemgale.
Western Vidzeme comprises most of the former district of Rīga, as well as the western parts of Cēsis and Valmiera, which in earlier times were populated by Livonians. The distinctive features of traditional clothing in this area grew out of centuries of interaction between Latvian and Livonian culture, as well the influence of Rīga as a major mercantile and artisanal centre. There are also similarities with the clothing from Northern Vidzeme.
Northern Vidzeme comprises most of the former districts of Valka and Valmiera, except for the coastal parishes. There are many similarities here with the clothing from Western Vidzeme.
Lielvārde consists of twelve parishes surrounding Lielvārde which were once part of the district of Rīga. These include Lielvārde, Lēdmane, Laubere, Krape, Madliena, Meņģele, Rembate, Jumprava, Vērene, Skrīveri, and partially Koknese and Aizkraukle. This is an area relatively close to Rīga, where clothing styles underwent rapid change in the eighteenth and nineteenth century.
Piebalga comprises the former districts of Cēsis, Vecpiebalga, and Jaunpiebalga, as well as the parishes of Druviena, Ranka, Veļķi, Gatarta, and Lizums. Piebalga had a strong craft weaving tradition in the nineteenth century which influenced styles of dress here.
Eastern Vidzeme comprises almost all of the earlier district of Madona and the eastern portion of Cēsis. A Selonian dialect is spoken in many of these parishes, which is the result of ongoing interaction between Latgalian and Selonian culture.
Krustpils consists of parishes that were once part of the district of Daugavpils. These include Krustpils, Ungurmuiža (Medņi), Vīpe, Līvani, Aiviekste, and some adjacent areas. Although these areas belong to Latgale today, the clothing is more similar to Eastern Vidzeme because of the longstanding connections between Latgalian and Selonian culture. They are therefore considered part of the Vidzeme tradition.
Folk costumes
Women's Clothing from Bauņi
Vidzemi no Latgales atdala Pededzes un Aiviekstes upes, no Sēlijas un Zemgales - Daugava, bet ziemeļos tā robežojas ar Igaunijas Republiku. Vidzemē tradicionāli izšķir vairākus tautastērpu nēsāšanas un darināšanas tipus un apvidus: Piebalgas, Lielvārdes, Krustpils, Rietumvidzemes, Ziemeļvidzemes un Austrumvidzemes.
Reconstruction of the 13th century Vends woman's costume
The arrangement and the decoration of the Vends (a group of the Baltic Finnish population, referred to in the 13th century Chronicle of Henry of Livonia who lived in the North-western part of Kurzeme, but as a result of the Curonian expansion moved closer to Riga. They later settled within the territory populated by the Latgallians near Cesis) costume shares similarities to those of the Livs. In the 13th century the traditional decorations of the woolen shawls were complimented by yellow glass paste beads. They, together with small rings and rosettes, were used to border the edges of the fabric. Depending on the width of the decorative bands that bordered the fabric, tassels were formed along the edges and corners of the garment. The metal crown (vainags) was replaced by narrow decorated hair bands that tied behind the head. Metal decorations were included on the ends of belts, however the adornments in general, were simpler and used in smaller numbers at this time. Typically found adornments from this period consisted of a special decorative pin and bead necklaces – the beads threaded onto metal wires.
Men's Clothing from Piebalga
Piebalgas tērpu novada centrs ir kādreizējie Cēsu apriņķa Vecpiebalgas un Jaunpiebalgas pagasti, bet tajā ietilpst arī Druvienas, Rankas, Veļķu, Gatartas un Lizuma kādreizējo pagastu teritorijas. Šī novada tērpu izveidi iespaidojis tas, ka Piebalga 19. gadsimtā bija spēcīgs audēju amatnieku centrs.
Women’s Winter Clothing from Tūja
• Krekls – taisna piegriezuma garš (līdz puslielam) ar baltu izšuvumu un atlokāmu apkakli;• Brunči – jostasvietā brīvās krokās sakrokoti kupli brunči, audums svītrains vai rūtains;• Jaka – ar nedaudz pagarinātu jostasvietu un faltīm;• Galvassega – siltā ziemas cepure;• Kāju āvums – adītas garās (līdz celim) zeķes, baltas vai svītrainas;• Rotas – krekla aizdarei lieto nelielu saktiņu vai auduma lentītes.
Women’s Clothing from Krustpils
The women’s clothing from the Krustpils district of the province of Vidzeme is characterized by a mid-calf length, linen shirt made either of two separate, rectangular fabric segments, or a one-piece body, where the front and back consist of one contiguous piece of fabric folded over at the shoulders. Multi-coloured embroidery is worked on the stand-up collar, shoulder straps, and the ends of the sleeves. The shirt is fastened with a small to medium size silver annular brooch (sakta), which may be set with polished glass stones.
Women’s Clothing from Lielvārde
Women’s clothing from the Lielvārde district of the provide of Vidzeme is characterized by a long, mid-calf length linen shirt in one of two styles. One style consists of separate, rectangular fabric pieces sewn together at the shoulders, while the other is a tunic-style, where the front and back are made of one contiguous piece of fabric folded over at the shoulders. The shirt is fastened with a small to medium size silver or bronze annular brooch (sakta), set with polished glass stones.