This garment is very typical for Eleshnitsa, where this color is a favorite for wealthier girls and the bosom is closed to the top, and is not deep and decorated, as in the costume from Razlog. They called this festive costume "banenski foustan". The costume is composed of a „foustan” - gezya (dzhiziya) in purple color - very popular and characteristic of the Razlog region, made of home-woven fine wool fabric with different shades. The upper part is attached to the torso with a fastening at the top with well-covered wire buttons. On both sides is applied a decoration of vertical strips of cut velvet. The edge around the neck and sleeves are also trimmed with velvet.
The cut of the „koshorest foustan” is now cleaner and the large „plohi” turn into large pleats on the sewn skirt, decorated with velvet hoops at the bottom. The edge of the skirt is lined with homemade fabric in black.
Under the „geziya” is a shirt with wide sleeves, decorated with "zapeski" and a finish with a large hand-knitted lace („prinka“). The velvet appliques combine beautifully with the festive velvet „futa”, embroidered with flowers and decorated with black lace end. On it is placed a velvet belt with rich embroidery and framing with white beads on both sides. The belt is fastened with small round silver buckles with embossed openwork buckle, which complete the festive look of the suit.
The feet are shod with finely knitted white socks with colorful decorations on the feet and toes. The finish is with black leather shoes with side fastening.
The head is covered with a veil, called "kavrak" in the area - cotton or silk with a square shape and beautiful prints at the end. It is folded in two and both ends pass behind and are tied in a "dzufka" on one side of the head. The hair is divided into a path, braided into two braids, gathered in a common at the lower end. This hairstyle for married women, because the girls are braided into “lesa” (numerous small braids) or an even number of braids.
In cold weather, to this urban clothing, as an outer garment they put a „contosh“ / black jacket / - short to the waist with long sleeves, made of velvet or cloth in black or dark color and collar of animal skin.
These ornaments are for a girl who is engaged or young bride, оnly they can be with jewelry . Her breasts are decorated with a pendant made of silver cinder with a pendar, she has silver earrings (mingushi) on her ears and a hinged silver bracelet on her arm. The beautiful belt is fastened with silver buckles to emphasize her status of already bound, and her overall appearance suggests that she is from a good and wealthy family.
Ralitsa Yurukova from Razlog put on the costume.
The costume is from the fund of the Historical Museum - Razlog.
The project "Study of the specifics and richness of national costumes from the Razlog region in the light of cultural diversity" is realized with the financial support of the National Culture Fund under the program "Cultural Heritage".
In fulfillment of the goals of the project we present some of the most beautiful traditional costumes, typical for the Razlog valley in the last 2 centuries.
We offer our sincere thanks to our hosts from the Historical Museum - Razlog, and to all local people who helped with the realization.
Special thanks to all participants and team members who took their time and with useful information, knowledge and valuable advice made possible the work on the project.
A reverence to the girls and boys from the town of Razlog, who stood in front of our camera and with their enthusiasm, youth and beauty revived for a new life the most beautiful costumes from old Mehomiya.