The Romanian Traditional Costume, Still Worn Today

If you’ve ever seen the Romanian traditional costume in real life, you know it hits differently than in photos. It’s not just “a nice folk outfit.” The Romanian traditional costume feels like a whole story you can wear—something that carries family pride, village identity, and a very specific kind of beauty that’s both simple and incredibly detailed at the same time.

People often call it “traditional clothing,” but it is more than clothing. It’s a language: the stitches, the colors, the fabrics, even the way a belt is tied can say where someone is from, how old they are, sometimes even whether it’s a celebration day or an ordinary Sunday.

And the best part? The Romanian traditional costume is still alive. It’s not locked in museums. You’ll see it at weddings, religious holidays, village festivals, and sometimes—surprisingly—on young people who wear a traditional blouse with jeans like it’s the most natural thing in the world (because honestly, it kind of is).

History of the Romanian traditional costume

The Romanian traditional costume evolved from everyday rural clothing, shaped by the seasons, the materials people had, and the skills passed from one generation to the next.

For a long time, villages were pretty self-contained. People made what they wore. Linen and hemp were common, wool was essential, and embroidery wasn’t “decoration” the way we think of it today—it was craftsmanship, identity, and sometimes protection. In many areas, patterns were believed to carry symbolic meanings, and the act of stitching itself had a kind of ritual value.

Many historians and researchers point to roots that go further back—into the world of the Geto-Dacians. We can’t claim the outfit stayed unchanged for 2,000 years (it absolutely didn’t), but the visual echoes are hard to ignore when you look at ancient depictions: long shirts and tunics, belts at the waist, gathered trousers, cloaks, and simple leather footwear.

Two of the most famous “snapshots” come from Roman-era monuments connected to the Dacian Wars: Trajan’s Column in Rome (completed in AD 113) and the Tropaeum Traiani monument near Adamclisi (built around AD 109). Both show Dacians in distinctive clothing, and Tropaeum Traiani was created to commemorate Trajan’s victory over the Dacians.

Over time, trade routes, neighboring cultures, and historical changes influenced styles—new dyes, new fabrics, new cuts. But what stayed consistent is the core idea: the Romanian traditional costume was made to suit real life, and it was made to last.

In the 19th and early 20th centuries, as national identity became a bigger topic across Europe, the Romanian traditional costume also gained a new role: it became a symbol. Not only of village life, but of Romanian culture itself. That’s why you’ll see it in historical photos, royal portraits, school celebrations, and modern cultural events.

Clothing as a social code

One of the most important things to understand about the Romanian traditional costume is that it worked like a visual code.

Colors, patterns and even how much decoration was used could show:

• whether someone was a child, a young unmarried woman, a newly married bride, a mother, or a widow
• whether the clothing was for everyday use or for special occasions
• and sometimes even family or village affiliation

A young unmarried woman would wear brighter colors and more visible embroidery. Newly married women used different patterns. Widows dressed more soberly. Children had simpler versions. Nothing was random.

There was also no idea of uniformity. Quite the opposite. On important days — especially weddings — villages became festivals of color and pattern. People wanted to look their best and show the quality of their work. You could see dozens of different designs in one place, each one handmade, each one personal.

Elements of the women’s costume

The Romanian blouse (ia)

The best-known piece of the Romanian traditional costume is the Romanian blouse — ia. It’s worn by women (and in different forms, also by men) and it goes back centuries. Traditionally made from natural fabrics like linen or cotton, the blouse stands out because of its rich embroidery, usually placed on the chest, sleeves, and neckline.

In the Romanian traditional costume, embroidery is a visual language. You’ll often see motifs inspired by nature and folk beliefs:

• The sun is linked to life and energy.
• Flowers suggest beauty and renewal.
• Birds are often connected to freedom.

Color matters too. In many areas, red is associated with vitality, black with stability and wisdom, and blue with calm, purity, or peace (the meanings can shift depending on the region).

Photo source: ienationala.ro

The traditional apron-skirt and the underskirt (catrința/ fota and poalele)

In the women’s version of the Romanian traditional costume, the lower part is built in layers: the traditional apron-skirt — catrința — worn over the underskirt — poalele.

The traditional apron-skirt is usually made of wool or cotton and has a straight, simple shape, but it’s visually powerful because of the woven or embroidered geometric designs. Depending on the region, the main colors can be black, red, and white, sometimes with small accents of green, blue, or yellow. It’s typically secured at the waist with a woven belt, which gives structure and an elegant silhouette.

The symbolism here is strong. Geometric motifs like straight lines or diamond shapes can suggest stability and continuity. Brighter color accents—especially red—often point to energy, joy, and vitality.

Photo source: ro.pinterest.com/pin/651403533626473588/

The underskirt is most often white and made from linen or cotton, with embroidery along the hem. It adds lightness, balance, and refinement, and it’s commonly linked to ideas of purity and connection to the earth.

The woven belt (brâu)

The woven belt — brâu — is one of those pieces in the Romanian traditional costume that’s both practical and symbolic. It pulls everything together at the waist, gives structure to the outfit, and visually frames the blouse and skirt layers.

For women, the woven belt emphasizes the waistline and adds contrast. Symbolically, it can be tied to protection, strength, and status, depending on the region, pattern, and color choices. Red is often linked to energy, while black can suggest wisdom and stability.

Photo source: cult-ura.ro

The sheepskin vest and the winter coat (bundița and cojocul)

When temperatures drop, the Romanian traditional costume becomes warmer, not less elegant. Two key outer layers are the sheepskin vest — bundița — and the winter coat — cojocul.

The sheepskin vest adds warmth and polish at the same time. It’s often decorated with floral or geometric embroidery, sometimes inspired by natural elements, and it brings a structured, festive look to the outfit.

The winter coat is heavier and often more region-specific. Some styles include fur trims, colorful stitching, and distinctive decorative panels. In many areas, a well-made coat also hints at social standing, because it takes serious craftsmanship and quality materials to produce.

Photo source: facebook.com/traditionaloltenesc

The traditional leather shoes (opincile)

Traditional leather shoes — opincile — are one of the most practical parts of the Romanian traditional costume. Made from leather and tied with thin leather straps that wrap around the ankle (and sometimes the calf), they’re designed to be flexible, durable, and comfortable on different terrain.

They also carry a simple kind of symbolism: adaptability, resilience, and connection to rural life. Depending on the region, they can be very minimal or have small local variations in shape and tying style.

Photo source: facebook.com/incaltamintedinpiele

Traditional accessories (marama, batic, podoabe)

Accessories are what make the Romanian traditional costume feel personal.

A traditional headscarf — marama — is often linked to special occasions and is usually made from fine fabrics with delicate details. It can signal femininity, respect, and tradition. A simpler everyday headscarf — batic — is more practical and associated with modesty and daily life.

Then you have traditional jewelry and adornments — podoabe — like bead necklaces, coins, and decorative pieces. These aren’t just for looks. In many communities, they can signal social status and are often worn at celebrations to show pride, prosperity, and family identity.

Photo source: casacrystal.ro

Differences between regions

One of the coolest things about the Romanian traditional costume is that, yes, the building blocks are mostly the same… but the “accent” changes completely from region to region. It’s a bit like Romanian food: you’ll recognize the main idea, but each area has its own twist, shaped by history, local influences, climate, and the mix of communities living there

Moldova (Moldavia)

In Moldova, the Romanian traditional costume keeps a lot of its older, more archaic character. The Romanian blouse here is known as the ia moldovenească (Moldavian blouse), and it’s usually gathered and richly embroidered, with colors you’ll see again and again: white, red, green, and black.

Photo source: noi.md

The traditional apron-skirt is typically dark and often has floral patterns, and it’s held in place with a woven belt that can be quite wide (up to around 12 cm). Another typical layer in the Romanian traditional costume from Moldova is a fitted vest—sometimes made from sheepskin or wool—decorated with ornamental motifs. You’ll see straight or broken lines, solar motifs, and floral elements. Certain flowers pop up a lot (like buds and pansies), and there are also leafy branches that can be read as a “Tree of Life” symbol—basically that strong idea of continuity and connection through generations.

Banat

A signature women’s piece in the Romanian traditional costume from Banat is the traditional apron called opreg (traditional apron with tassels). It’s more rigid in the front, while the back can have long, colorful tassels that move when you walk—so it’s practical and dramatic at the same time.

Hair coverings are also very specific here, often called ceapsă or conciu (traditional head covering). They’re woven from wool or cotton and decorated with geometric motifs like diamonds and circles.

Photo source: wikipedia.org

And overall, Banat stands out through strong color combinations and very rich ornamentation. In some cases, makers even used silver-thread details, which gives the Romanian traditional costume from this region a more elaborate, almost “ceremonial” feel.

Oltenia

Oltenia is famous for variety—sometimes the details shift noticeably from one village to the next. In general, the Romanian traditional costume here often leans into black as a base color, then builds contrast with multicolored decorative motifs. That dark background makes the embroidery and woven details look even sharper.

Another thing you’ll see often is colorful glass beads as accessories—small detail, huge impact, especially when layered with the blouse and waist elements.

In southern Oltenia there’s also a specific garment called ipingeaua (traditional outer garment), recognizable because it’s decorated with embroidery on the collar.

Dobrogea

Dobrogea is a region shaped by diversity, and you can feel that in the Romanian traditional costume from the area. Because of the strong multi-ethnic influences, the Dobrogean style tends to be rich in color and ornamentation, mixing both geometric motifs and plant-inspired designs.

Photo source: discoverdobrogea.ro

Elements of the men’s costume

The men’s side of the Romanian traditional costume is usually simpler than the women’s, but “simpler” doesn’t mean plain. It’s more like: clean lines, smart construction, and a few key pieces that do a lot of work—practically and visually. Across Romania, the structure stays familiar, even if details shift from region to region.

The traditional shirt (cămașa)

The anchor of the men’s outfit is the traditional shirt — cămașa. In the east and south, it was often longer. In the west and north, it tended to be shorter but wider. Traditionally, it was made from homespun linen or hemp cloth, and the cut was famously efficient: straight panels, minimal waste, and a simple construction gathered at the neck.

That “straight-cut, no waste” style matters because it tells you something important about the Romanian traditional costume overall: it’s built from practicality and ingenuity. Even when the shirt is decorated, it usually stays tasteful—most often with geometric embroidery on the collar, chest, and sleeves.

Photo source: moldovenii.md

Traditional trousers (ițari/ izmene)

Next come the trousers: ițari (traditional fitted trousers, often white) or izmene (traditional under-trousers/linen trousers, depending on the area and context). You’ll see them in white in many regions, but also in darker shades in others, depending on local preference, season, and occasion.

In terms of shape, they’re typically not very wide—more like slim rural work trousers—designed for movement and for everyday wear.

The woven sash or leather belt (brâul/ chimirul)

To pull the whole look together, men wore a sash or belt over the shirt: the woven sash — brâul — or the wide leather belt — chimirul. Functionally, it keeps the outfit structured and supports the waist (especially useful during work). Visually, it’s the strong “middle line” that makes the outfit look finished.

The leather belt also had a practical role: it could hold small tools or useful objects.

The vest and winter layers (pieptarul/ cojocul/ haină de postav)

Over the shirt, men often wore a traditional vest — pieptarul — especially for a more complete look or for cooler weather. In winter, the outfit gets heavier: a wool cloth coat (a haină de postav, basically a thick woolen outer layer) or sheepskin coats (cojoace) were common, often decorated with regional ornamentation.

Photo source: mariuszgaianu.ro

Traditional footwear (opincile / cizmele)

For footwear, the classics show up again: traditional leather shoes — opincile — or boots (cizmele) depending on the occasion, the season, and sometimes social status. Opinci are the practical, flexible choice tied with leather straps, while boots tend to show up in contexts where sturdiness and prestige matter more.

Headwear (căciula/ pălăria)

Headwear is a big deal in the men’s outfit. A fur hat — căciula — is more typical for colder regions and mountainous areas, while a hat — pălăria — is more common in plains and hill regions. Beyond weather protection, these pieces also signal identity: local style, community belonging, sometimes even status.

Photo source: cluj.com

Why authenticity matters today

Today, many mass-produced “traditional” costumes exist. They may look similar from a distance, but they do not carry the same meaning, materials, or craftsmanship.

A real traditional blouse or coat takes weeks or months to make. It uses natural fabrics, hand embroidery, and regional patterns. That is why it matters where you buy one. Certified workshops, village artisans, and heritage centers are the best places to find authentic pieces — not factory-made souvenirs.

The beauty of the “simple cut” you can try for yourself

If you come to Romania and spend time in villages across Transylvania, Bucovina, Maramureș, or Banat, there’s a good chance you’ll actually see the costume in action. On Sundays, at family celebrations, and especially during major holidays, locals still dress up in traditional outfits—proudly, naturally, and without turning it into a performance for visitors.

Even better, in some places you can go beyond simply admiring the Romanian traditional costume. You may get the chance to try on an authentic outfit (the kind that feels completely different from a “costume” rental), and in certain villages you can also buy pieces made by local artisans who still work the traditional way—using natural fabrics, hand embroidery, and patterns rooted in their region.