Foustanella/Tsolias Worn by diplomats and warriors, this costume was declared the national costume for men; it is found in mountainous areas and was worn mainly in the Central and Southern parts of Greece. The costume derives its name from the pleated white skirt (Foustanella) made by triangular shaped pieces of cloth called "langolia" which are sewn together diagonally. The Foustanella skirt consists of 400 pleats symbolizing the years during which Greece was under Ottoman rule. The Greek Fighters of the 1821 revolution wore the Foustanella while fighting the Turks. Today it serves as the official uniform of the Evzones, the Presidential Guard, who keep their vigil at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Athens. The remainder of the costume is composed of a white shirt with a very wide flowing sleeve, and embroidered woolen vest called the "fermeli" and has panels hanging from the back. The vest can be blue, black or maroon, the latter worn by the captain of the guard. A sash is worn around the waist, and pointed shoes which have large pompons known as Tsarouhia which were worn for mountain climbing.




 

  
           

Vraka This costume, which is worn with some variations on all the Aegean islands, is the classical type of male dress with vraka. It consists of a panavaki (white undergarment), white shirt, karamani (baggy trousers), koumbouri (sleeveless crossed waistcoat), sash, zaka (outer jacket)) and megalo fesi (tasseled cap). 

 

    
                   

Karagouna The Karagouna is the famous female costume from Thessaly in Central Greece. The Karagouna costume is a wedding dress with bright colors symbolizing the wealth of the valley of Thessaly. The name came out of the way the women could move only their heads because of the weight of the costume and their jewelry. This costume consists of an undergarment which is a white dress with a thick black fringe edge, a wool coat with handmade tufts at the edges of sleeves and embroidery at the hemline, a white sleeveless coat ''sayias'' with decorated trim, a short red wool felt richly embroidered waistcoat, and velvet arm bands with black or multicolored fringe. Worn around the waist is a red felt apron with bands of embroidered gold thread and finally the black embroidered head kerchief scarf wrapped and then twisted around the head and decorated with gold coins across the forehead. Distinctive features of this costume, symbolizing the wealth of the bride, are the many rows of chains of coins that are worn across the bosom. The apron is also decorated with a brooch and silver or gold chain piece.

 

 
                         
          Desfina (Sterea Helladas) The women's Desfina is a peasant dress of the Fokida region of Greece. Tassels and fringe decorate the white headpiece. It is an all white long sleeve dress. Over this is a long white vest decorated with black and red cord. A bright red velvet apron that ties above the waist is embroidered in gold thread.    
               
    Crete The women wear pantaloons as is common to the southern islands of Greece. They also wear aprons in the front and back. Their black felt or velvet jackets are richly adorned with gold embroidery, and they wear a necklace of gold coins. On their heads they wear the black crocheted “mandili” in mourning for the loss of the capitol of the Byzantine Empire, Constantinople (present day Istanbul). The tassels dangling in their eyes are said to represent tears for the people lost in the explosion of the monastery at Arkadi in Crete. When the mandili is lowered, it is a sign that they are not to be approached.