Ukraine’s historical vyshyvankas in photos
Vyshyvanka could be made for several years (Photo:Instagram honchar.museum)
Ukraine marks Vyshyvanka Day on May 18. The vyshyvanka, an embroidered shirt, has been an integral part of every Ukrainian’s wardrobe for many years. However, modern vyshyvankas differ from those worn by Ukrainian ancestors.
Nowadays, the vyshyvanka is considered a more festive outfit, and isn’t worn as often as it was. Only a few generations ago, vyshyvanka’s were considered to be casual, every day — not just something worn on special occasions..
Ukrainian men went to work in casual vyshyvankas, while women wore them at home. Festive vyshyvankas were carefully kept for special events, such as weddings.
The Ivan Honchar Museum has shared archival photos of Ukrainians, demonstrating how they lived and dressed 100 years ago.
Historically, Ukrainians wore white embroidered shirts made of linen or hemp cloth. These materials were the easiest to find at that time.
The festive outfit differed from the casual version by the embroidery’s richness and symbolism.
Each Ukrainian region can boast of having a unique pattern of embroidery since different patterns and figures can b e added to the vyshyvanka, using threads of certain colors.
Ukrainian poet Ivan Franko, who was the first to wear a traditional Ukrainian vyshyvanka under a jacket, popularized the style among the intelligentsia in the 19th century. After that, Ukrainian men began to follow his style.
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