KOR59 Sayia (long garment open in front) inv.no 163

Sayia (long garment open in front) made of white woven cotton fabric. It was worn over a chemise and pantaloons. The back and front are made of a single piece, with no stitching at the shoulders. As usual with a sayia, there is a vertical opening at the front for the full length of the garment, and a semi-circular opening, which leaves part of the breast exposed. There is an upright collar at the back of the neck. A separate oblique panel starts at the base of the semi-circular opening and broadens out towards the bottom. This added triangular piece of fabric (loxa), is used to cross-fasten the sayia at the front. The opening is fastened beneath the breast by knitted buttons. Slits at either side give the wearer of the sayia some freedom of movement. The long narrow sleeves are open at the bottom.  The sayia is decorated with embroideries. The opening at the front, the join of the two sleeves, and the back, are all adorned with a variety of patterns spirals, checks, as well as threaded red and green tiny glass beads (petrou(d)es). The edges of the sleeves are also decorated with petrou(d)es. The sayia is a representative example of the type of dress worn in Karpasia, which is often made of white cotton material decorated with glass beads (petrou(d)es).