The folk costumes of the islands (Saaremaa, Hiiumaa and Muhumaa)
differed considerably; and there were even variations between the different
parishes of Saaremaa. They had many common features with the dress of Estonian
Swedes — for example, pleated skirts, pressed into folds with hot loaves of
bread.
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Pöide womanThe Saaremaa woman's outfit included a bodice, apparently an item dating from the fairly distant past. In Pöide the bodice was sewn from striped cloth. |
Anseküla womanIn Saaremaa, the everyday item of head-wear for women was the stocking cap. According to custom, married women wore the stocking of their cap on the right shoulder, maidens on their left. |
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Belt bagsIn order to carry several necessary items (knife, pin-cushion, money)
with them at all times, women tied a cloth bag to their belts and decorated
it lavishly with beads, galloons or appliqué. |
Winter capsThe woollen fabric and sheepskin head-wear of the island women was quite
unique. Especially well-known are the Saaremaa winter caps with two upright
horns, usually in front or at the back, less often at the sides. |
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BeltOn their belts, Hiiumaa women wore a leather strap covered with copper plaques from which hung copper chains. A sheathed knife and a needle-case were carried in the copper belt. |
Jämaja maiden (c 1910) |
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