Cultural reference of a people and of its behaviour and temperament, in Nazaré the costume reflects the sea and the fishing life experiences. Functional and practical or harmonious and elaborate, the costume reveals their personality. Adapted throughout the years, not only to the needs of life and to the sea labour, but also to the fashion tendencies (skirts’ length, fabrics and patterns), especially the feminine costume which is still used on daily life, and is far from being a piece of museum.
Masculine Costume
The fishermen costume was adapted to the conditions of the sea, offering freedom of movements, being simultaneously light and warm. The men wore tartan shirts and tartan trousers with a black band wrapped around the waist and a black wool stocking-cap. In the working costume the fishermen wore tartan breeches, pleated and large, with wool strings on the hem, so that men could wear it loose, tight or tucked up, according to their needs. Neither the trousers nor the shirts had pockets and the personal objects were kept inside the stocking-cap. Usually the fishermen walked barefooted.
Presently there aren’t many people wearing the traditional costume; only in the Carnival period the typical fisherman tartan shirts can be seen again. Nowadays are the town’s folk groups who still preserve the memory of this traditional costume.
Feminine Costume
The feminine costume is outstanding for its colourfulness, beauty and harmony. Either for working or for festivity days, it reflects the woman’s personality, but it is also adapted to her daily work - preparation, selling and drying of the fish. Thus, being practical, functional and protector against the cold and the sea breeze, allowing, at the same time, free movements but keeping the women always covered and “decent”.
Working women wore several petticoats: first a white one, above this 2 or 3 colourful flannel petticoats, a pocket, one cashmere or terylene petticoat, above all a dark-colour apron with pockets, a simple blouse, headscarf, shawl and mules.
However, it was during the feast days that the Nazarene woman showed all her elegance as well as the richness of her family; wearing white under petticoat, above this, several colourful petticoats (the famous 7 full petticoats), covered by a satin apron artistically embroidered, a flowery blouse with lace sleeves, headscarf, black cape, varnish mules, and a gold chain and earrings.
Many women still wear their traditional costume, especially the elder ones and those living from fish selling; but women of all ages dress like this during Carnival celebrations (from February 3rd until Shrove Tuesday), during the Holy Week, as well as the women of the Nazarene folk groups.
Keeping pace with times, this costume is far from being a piece of museum; it has followed fashion – with longer or shorter petticoats, new fabrics, colours and patterns. Reviving every year, this costume transforms the woman of Nazaré in one of a kind.