Basics of Roma Fashion

 The Roots and Basic Information: 

    First of all, I want to premise this blog post by stating I will be using the words, Roma and Romani, to describe this population of people and their unique culture instead of the word "gypsy." This is because of how this word is considered a slur by Roma people due to how it paints them as convincing and uncultured thieves. The Roma are a group of nomads that traveled that originally emigrated from NorthWestern India over 1000 years ago. From there, they traveled to Persia and other areas before finally making it into Western Europe in the 14th century. A significant portion of the Roma culture, particularly the language, clothing, and food, have close similarities to modern Punjab culture although European influences are also distinctly evident. The Roma were given the name "gypsy" after Europeans mistakenly thought they were from Egypt. 

‘The girl with the headscarf’- a Roma
killed in a concentration camp. 

    The Roma have had hideous prosecution and discrimination to them for centuries. For instance, the German name for Roma is Zigeuner, a word that is connected to a greek root meaning untouchable. They were mass imprisoned in Spain and even enslaved in Romania, where this blog is based and where Roma is the biggest minority. Also, unfortunately, 1.5 million were also murdered in masse in German concentration camps during WWII. They also continue to face racism and discrimination in Romania, where 90% of Romani live in poverty. They tend to have a darker complexion than native Europeans and are divided into different groups or tribes. But throughout this entire time, Roma fashion stayed a constant symbol of their identity and culture, with women even wearing their traditional dress as they were executed in the death camps.

The Core Outfit

Throughout the mainstream media, Roma fashion has been objectified and sexualized to a great extent. For instance, the Bohemian style of dreads and long. flowing skirts as well as rose motifs and dikhlos ( a type of headscarf) is directly tied to Roma fashion. Sexualization of its women is also highly present. The Hunchback of Notre Dame is a notable example, with Esmeralda, considered to be "the finest girl in all of France" wearing a colorful dress with a low-cut top. In reality, Roma women tend to wear highly conservative clothes because the majority of them are devoutly Christian or Muslim. The Romani dress also tends to vary between each ethnic tribe or group but there are some distinct similarities between all Roma. However, because of how Romania has the highest population of Roma and is known for them, the subject matter will be based upon it.

    A painting of a Roma woman from 1867.

    

    Romani women tend to wear flowy skirts. However, the length and color of these skirts can depend on variables such as age, tribe, and if they are married. However, because of how they are quite conservative, the skirts can never go above the knee. Women also tend to not wear pants or trousers, unless they are single young women. Although, both of these may be changing in more progressive communities. The decoration and ornamentation of coins and gold jewelry are prominent. Wearing golden bracelets and necklaces are worn and gold coins can be seen decorating the dikhlo and the neck. They also wear a red ribbon on their hair. 

Romani men have noticeable dress patterns as well. Older Romani men tend to have thin mustaches and wear scarves. They also wear hats and vests which can symbolize which can or tribe they are from. Gold rings and necklaces are also worn. Trousers are the norm of bottoms whereas shorts are looked down upon because of the modesty standard. Furthermore, in more urban communities, men wear suits and ties to reflect either their social status or wealth. 

Bibliography :