Exploring Provence : traditional Provençal costume

MyFrenchLife™ - MyFrenchLife.org - Exploring Provence - Jan Leishman - Traditional Provençal Costume - women in dresses

I’m intrigued by the traditional Provençal costume! I have always loved fabrics, sewing and needlecraft – and the idea of countries having a national costume. 

MyFrenchLife™ - MyFrenchLife.org - Exploring Provence - Jan Leishman - Traditional Provençal Costume - Museum ExhibitionI remember at primary school trying to design a ‘wattle’ costume – something like Snugglepot and Cuddlepie (without the bare bottoms) as an Australian national costumeSo I was delighted to find, when I visited Grasse this year, that the Musee Provençal du Costume et Bijou was exhibiting a collection of ‘costumes provencaux‘.

The clothes and jewellery are part of a collection of Arlesienne costumes by Magali and Odile Pascal. They show the incredibly detailed and beautifully sewn and embroidered clothes once worn by the women who lived in the Arles region of the Midi.

These distinctly southern women were frequently painted by Vincent van Gogh.

The traditional Provençal costume

MyFrenchLife™ - MyFrenchLife.org - Exploring Provence - Jan Leishman - Traditonal Provencal Costumes - exhibitionThe costumes across the south of France are similar in style, with colours, embroidery patterns and materials varying from region to region and from the peasants to the artisans to the well-off. I have inherited a beautiful, traditionally-dressed doll in Mentonnais costume from my belle-mere – mother-in-law – who was born in Menton.

The doll’s skirt is striped in red and white, her black shawl is beautifully embroidered, as is her apron. She wears the wide-brimmed hat of most Provençale women of the time. These hats could be clipped to the women’s waistbands after work finished for the day and the sun went down. The skirts were often heavy and quilted – nice for winter – but I don’t know how the women managed in summertime. The blouse would be topped by a shawl or a shawl-like collar, and a long apron tied around their waist.

MyFrenchLife™ - MyFrenchLife.org - Exploring Provence - Jan Leishman - Traditional Provençal Costume - Costume & Jewellery Museum

Interestingly, the Arlesienne women often wore elaborately tied ribbons in their hair, winding the wide, embroidered or patterned material around their hair to protect and decorate it.

Headwear was always worn and the hair pinned up. Not only did it keep the hair clean and tidy (there was no washing it every day), but it also was part of the woman’s modesty.

A taste of Provençal fashion

I regret not buying some of the beautiful ribbons I saw on display during the Medieval Festival in Les Arcs. The exhibition was fascinating. The late Helene Costa – of Fragonard fame – had a passion for collecting traditional costumes and jewellery of Provence. Her collection is generally the one on view at the museum.

MyFrenchLife™ - MyFrenchLife.org - Exploring Provence - Jan Leishman - Traditional Provençal Costume - a traditional ribbon and dress

I would encourage anyone visiting Grasse to take the time to enjoy whatever exhibition is on. It is a fascinating insight into the past, while helping to preserve the distinctive heritage of the region’s national dress.


Do you know the national dress of your country? What is your favourite aspect of the traditional Provençal costume? Join the discussion in the comments below!


Image credits:
1. Women in traditional Provençal dress at Arles costume festival by Max Guitare, via flickr
2. Traditional costume exhibition by Galeries & Musées
3. Museum of Costume & Jewellery by grassetourisme
4-6. © Jan Leishman

 

About the Contributor

Jan Leishman

I agree that we all have two countries – our own and France. As a child, France seemed exotic and unreachable. Now I have a part-French husband and a part-time home in France. I love sharing stories about our corner of Provence on my blog Victoria to Var and our house with rental guests.  

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