Cieszyn folk costume

• Kabotek- a short waist shift with puffed, elbowlength sleeves. Wedding version of the shirt has long sleeves. Trimming of a thin collar, named lemiec, was embroidered a half cross stitch in black or brown. Later, satin stitch embroidery was introduced. Gradually, in the 20th century a half cross stitch was entirely supplanted by white satin stitch embroidery and broderie anglaise.[3] Floral patterns became dominant.
• Żywotek- embroidered with silver or golden thread, stiffen kind of a corset with braces. The front part of żywotek, przedniczki, is widely cut in the shape of a rectangle. The back part of żywotek, oplecek, forms a characteristic triangle, called szczytek. The item of clothing is velvet and usually black or claret. Most frequently a golden thread is used for red velvet while silver thread is used for black velvet embroidery. However, it is not a strict rule.[4] The cutting of żywotek has undergone many changes. The most remarkable one is an extension of the embroidered surface. Also decorative patterns were modified. Three bouquets, two flowers, and garlands became the most common ones.[5] For embroidery metal threads were used, however, poorer women used silk threads. With time, silk floss gained popularity.[6] Żywotek is decorated also with sequins, pearls and bead, so that they form a colourful mosaic. The item of clothing is stiffen with cardboard and lined lining.
• Dress- a dark colour wollen skirt, a sewed corset, and żywotek. Skirts were sewn with 6-8 meters of fabric panels and were 5-6 m wide.
• Zapaska- long, tied at the waist apron.
• Apron – more often linen than damask, consisted of two: front and back aprons, which replaced skirt.
• Slip
• Bonnet cap, named czepiec- consisting of a reticulated top and very decorative crocheted cap, named czółko. At first, czółko was to adhere as closely as possible to the head, later it became wider. Czółka were embroidered in small motifs, stars or dots. Czepiec is tied at the back and covered with usually linen cloth (chusta czepinowa). Currently, more common are silk cherry-gold or dark brown silk clothes, with a floral motif. Czepiec, was handmade, and his appearance differed depending on age and wealth of the owner.
• Loincloth- a patterned gibbon, tied in a bow at the waist. Its scarves often reached the end of the dress.

Similarly to Cieszynian folk costume, jewellery is a replica of ornaments from times of the Renaissance and the Reformation. Because of its being a trade rout and having fertile soil, Cieszyn was rather a rich city. Fashion was being modified in accordance to European markets thanks to trips of the last descendants of the Piast dynasty in Cieszyn on the turn of the 16th and 17th century. Cieszyn was the biggest centre of jewellery trade in the region. Ornaments were made of silver, gold, and some alloys. Metalwork techniques were filigree and casting. Male costumes were decorated only with metal buttons (knefle).[7] A set of jewellery of a wealthy woman consisted of a collar stud, orpant, hoczki and belt.[8]

• Collar stud- used to fasten a collar of kabotek. The studs were of round or heart shape.
• Orpant- a piece of jewellery consisting of four chains which fall into semicircle. They were attached to braces of żywotek.
• Hoczki- metal items with small holes, which enable żywotek to be laced up. The wealthier woman, the more hoczki she had installed in her żywotek
• Belt- usually silver, most valuable item of jewellery. Its production required the greatest precision. Originally the belts consisted of small, profusely decorated silver plates, which were joined by a chain. In latter versions the technique of filigree was used.