Ethno style – this is another name for folk motifs and the folklore trend is becoming increasingly popular today. This applies to clothing elements and interior details and other areas of our lives.
Modern clothing goes well with elements of ethnic clothing. But gradually this trend gains some isolation and an ethnic style is formed – as a separate trend in modern fashion.
What is ethnic style in clothing
Ethnic clothing style is distinguished by the fact that it is cheerful and quite comfortable. The main admirers of such clothing are young people. This style of clothing was created by young followers of the hippie culture in the sixties. Today, ethnic clothing is a kind of sign of protest against the clothes that we are used to wearing every day.
Ethnic style clothing is represented by a huge variety of styles, accessories, as well as details and patterns that are borrowed from the national clothing of different peoples of the world.
At first, the ideas for costumes for ethnic clothing were borrowed from the national clothing of the peoples of the Middle East, as well as Asia, as it is distinguished by its luxury, beauty, and a large variety of different decorations. In addition, such clothing is also very comfortable.
Distinctive features of clothing in ethnic style
First of all, national costumes of different nations are used here. These include Indian sari, Japanese kimono, Moroccan tunics, etc.
As you may have noticed, each of these outfits has one common feature – volume. Ethnic clothing is not characterized by strict forms and tight silhouettes. These are, first of all, airy, light, flowing fabrics that add femininity.
Another common feature of ethnic style clothing is the use of natural fabrics, bright colors and contrasting combinations. The clothing is decorated with unusual ethnic motifs. These can be bright prints that reflect the peculiarities of life of different nations or embroidery.
Ethnic clothing requires appropriate footwear and accessories. We will talk about them below.
History of the emergence of ethnic clothing
In the 60s of the last century, the entire world was literally engulfed by the mini epidemic. Styles became shorter and shorter, and outfits became more revealing. At the same time, the hippie culture flourished, which was based on the opposition of traditional ideas with a completely opposite point of view.
The appearance of the revealing mini in fashion was responded to by the hippies with a long skirt. Shiny metallic, monochromatic fabrics – natural ones, with ethnic motifs. Straight geometric shapes and lines – smooth lines and rounded shapes. Hippies did not use any one national style in their clothing. It was a mixture of clothes from all the peoples of the world. Preference was given to clothes that did not hinder movement, bright natural fabrics.
Why is this style called ethnic?
The name of the style comes from the word “ethnos”, which means “people” in Greek. Each nation that once inhabited our planet had its own unique style of clothing. Of course, all this could not pass without a trace. Based on the styles of previously living nations, the preferences in clothing of their descendants were formed. It turns out that clothing in the ethno style accumulates the fashion of all previously living nations of the world.
But, as is known, the manner of dressing depended very much on the climatic conditions of residence of a particular people. Therefore, several completely different ethnic styles were formed, which we will now examine in detail.
Ethnic style in clothing of the peoples of the world
Russian style
There are many features of the Russian style in clothing. Previously, each region of our vast Motherland had its own special flavor. This was expressed in elements of local embroidery and weaving. But we can also highlight common elements characteristic of all regions of Russia. These are sarafans, scarves, shawls, long multi-layered skirts, fur hats and sheepskin coats, straight wide blouses with embroidery and kosovorotkas.
The peasant costume was distinguished by a straight cut, a long skirt, a shirt with long sleeves, and multi-layered clothing (one item was put on top of another). In winter, a quilted jacket was added. A distinctive feature of such a costume was embroidery.
Original and unique, it contained ethnic motifs. Beads or ribbons were often used in embroidery. Beading was widely used as an accessory. Wealthy people decorated their outfits with precious stones and pearls. Bast shoes are especially worth mentioning. This is a purely Russian element of clothing that still causes delight and surprise.
The costume of a city dweller differed from that of a peasant mainly by the presence of expensive outerwear. This could be a coat, boots and a fur hat. The presence of a coat indicated the high status of its owner.
Greek style
Greek style clothing is the embodiment of simplicity and femininity. In Ancient Greece, everything was subordinated to beauty and practicality. Naturally, this was reflected in the costumes of Greek women.
Distinctive features of such clothing are dresses with a high waist, floor length, made of natural fabrics, beautifully and freely falling and hiding all the flaws of the figure. Loose-fitting tunics. Sandals with thin straps and ribbons around the shin.
The Greek style is rightfully considered one of the most elegant clothing styles. Dresses in the Greek style are suitable for any type of figure. They perfectly hide figure flaws and favorably emphasize all your advantages. Perhaps that is why dresses in the Greek style remain incredibly popular to this day.
Asymmetry also came to us from Ancient Greece. Dresses that seductively reveal one shoulder, with a high waist and flowing drapery give your silhouette extraordinary femininity and beauty. Clothing in the Greek style is suitable for both everyday wear and as an evening option.
African style
One of the brightest and most colorful trends in ethnic clothing is the African style. We have already written above that different ethnic styles were formed not only as a result of the development of various cultures, but also based on certain climatic conditions and human living conditions.
A very illustrative example in this case is the African style of clothing. Light, colorful natural fabrics with elements of African landscapes, yellow, brown and red colors are
the distinctive features of such clothing. The patterns on the clothes resemble the landscapes of the African savannah.
When we talk about Africa, and in particular about the clothes of its inhabitants, we immediately imagine short African women with a straw skirt on their hips and an unimaginable number of beads made of natural material. This is, of course, very unusual and colorful, but do not be afraid. We do not suggest that
you wear such exoticism. Moreover, the African style of clothing actually means something different.
To understand what, you need to delve a little into history. About a hundred years ago, English colonizers firmly settled on African lands. Having conquered African countries, they found themselves in completely different living conditions than in their homeland.
The clothes that were fashionable in England at that time turned out to be unsuitable for wearing in the conditions of the African savannah. Comfortable and practical clothes were needed that would not be hot. In addition, they had to be durable and stain-resistant.
Such clothes were simple styles of cotton, linen and genuine leather, in a color scheme close to the colors of the African savannah. Despite their apparent simplicity, these things were quite comfortable and functional. Later, this style of clothing became known as African or safari style.
Egyptian style
The clothing culture of one of the most ancient civilizations in the world is closely linked to the religion and cultural values of the ancient Egyptians.
Throughout the development of the ancient Egyptian civilization, the Egyptians’ preferences in clothing changed little. Straight lines, simple cuts, and clear geometric shapes can be seen in all models.
Indian style
Another widespread ethnic style of clothing is Indian. First of all, this is, of course, the Indian sari.
Sari is not just clothing, it is an element of Indian culture, conveying the originality of the Indian people, unshakable traditions and cultural values.
In addition to sari, Indian style clothing includes long skirts, dresses, harem pants and tunics. A characteristic feature of all models is a loose cut, light, weightless fabrics, multi-tiered and multi-layered. It is also worth noting the bright colors, stone embroidery and a large number of accessories.
National clothing of India is not just a bygone ethnic style. It is one of the few styles that is still present in the clothing of modern Indian women. Despite the strong influence of Western culture in India, women still wear saris.
Japanese style
Japanese style of clothing is associated with the main ethnic element for most people – kimono. And indeed, Japan was a country closed to the outside world for a very long time, where everything “European” penetrated with great difficulty. Of course, this also concerns the manner of dressing. Until recently, ethnic clothing was very popular in Japan. However, modern Japanese girls prefer to dress a little differently.
In large Japanese cities you can often see girls dressed very brightly, provocatively and even, one might say, too ridiculously… Ridiculous for our understanding. This style is called Harajuku.
Modern ethnic clothing
In modern fashion, such ethnic clothing as long, Indian, colored skirts, zouaves (Aladdin pants), as well as loose-fitting tunics, which are decorated with various embroidery, are relevant. There are also many fans of the Indian sari, the national women’s clothing of Indian women.
The ideas of national costumes of the Far East were used to create loose-fitting shirts, which are decorated with various hieroglyphs or dragons, as well as silk dresses, kimonos. Pareos, which are the national clothing of the people of Thailand, were created for relaxing on the beach or as home wear.
Also, when creating clothes in the ethnic style, ideas were taken from the peoples of Egypt and Africa. Their clothes are distinguished by contrasting patterns, bright prints, color schemes, etc.
Ethnic clothing uses not only elements of national clothing from overseas countries, but also our Russian one, of course, lace (lace dresses have been in fashion for more than one season) and even felt boots, which are quite popular today, especially in the Russian winter.
Ethnic style differs from other styles in that when creating such clothes, as a rule, only natural fabrics are used, such as linen, silk, wool, etc. Also used is such an element as lace, made by hand and decorated with beads, beads, buckles, etc.
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