Kastelorizo is renowned for the traditions of its local people. There were at least three different types of women’s dresses, all beautiful, rich, and magnificent. These brightly colored garments were complemented by necklaces, brooches, pendants, and earrings made from ancient Venetian and Byzantine gold coins.
Women’s festive attire consisted of the following:
- One or more silky chemises (ipokamiso). The outermost one was fastened at the front with six large gold or silver filigree buttons. These buttons were shaped like half-spheres pressed in the center, and the lowest one had a small chain with a cross attached.
- Short trousers called katofori, made of fine fabric and decorated at the lower part with gold thread embroidery.
- A long-sleeved jacket (zepuni) made of brightly colored silk or velvet, open at the front.
- Another long, front-open overgarment (kavadi) embroidered with gold thread.
- A wide shawl called zosma, wrapped loosely around the lower part of the body like a sash, made of three or four strips of silk decorated with gold and silver thread.
- A large velvet coat (gunna), always worn open at the front, with fur around the collar and decorated with gold and silver lace along the edges and back.
- A woolen cap.
- A mandili (headscarf), decorated with embossed floral patterns in white, red, and dark blue. It was folded diagonally and tied over the cap, with the longest corner hanging almost to the ground at the back, while the sides gathered in front or draped over the shoulders.
- Colorful wool or silk stockings.
- Slipper-shaped shoes made of velvet or silk, decorated with gold and silver thread and slightly smaller than the foot.
Other types of dresses were similar but less ornate and without fur.
Girls’ dresses were simpler. There were also clear differences between the clothing of unmarried and engaged girls, and that of married and widowed women.
