- Kontusz
Kontusz (pronounce IPA|/'kɔntuʃ/) is a type of outer garment worn by the Polish and Lithuanian male nobility ("
szlachta "). It became popular in the 16th century and came to thePolish-Lithuanian Commonwealth viaHungary fromTurkey . In the 17th century, worn over an inner garment (żupan ), the kontusz became the most notable element of male Polish national attire.The kontusz was a long robe, usually reaching to below the knees, with a set of decorative buttons down the front. The sleeves were long and loose, on hot days worn untied, thrown on the back. In winter a fur lining could be attached to the kontusz, or a delia worn over it. The kontusz was usually of a vivid colour, and the lining had to be of a contrasting hue. The kontusz was tied with a long, wide belt called a
pas kontuszowy .The kontusz was more of a decorative garment than a useful one. Tradition states that first kontusze were worn by szlachta who captured them on Ottomans to display as loot.Fact|date=October 2007
Throwing kontusz sleeves on one's back and stroking one's mustache was considered to be a signal of readiness for a fight.Fact|date=November 2007
In 1776,
Sejm deputies from differentvoivodeships of Poland were obliged to wear different colouredżupan s and kontuszes denoting theirvoivodeship s.Unlike
żupan , kontusz was worn only by the nobility.See also
*
Delia (clothing)
*Ferezja
*Pas kontuszowy
*Sukmana
*żupan External links
* [http://www.dolina.org/kontusz.htm Short description and 2 photos] Dead link|date=January 2008|url=http://www.dolina.org/kontusz.htm
* [http://www.reconstructinghistory.com/patterns/kontuszp.html Short description, sketch]
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