Dress
Traditional Russian clothing reflects the weather as the clothing tends to be long-sleeved
and warm. For Russian women this generally means long dresses that cover the arms
and fall to the ground. These dresses are often times heavily embroidered and often
times include the color red to some degree. However, the variations of the dresses
vary greatly from region to region and even over time, although most have loose-fitting
white sleeves and red on them. Most women also covered their heads with some sort
of cloth or handkerchief. Likewise, men traditionally wore clothing similar to that
of historic Europe with pants, shirts, and often times a vest. Boots were common
due to the snow and mud, while hats were essential through much of the year, often
times being made from fur.
Today the dress in Russia is modern western-styled clothing, but aspects of the
past have survived. Boots and hats remain essential in the winters and women generally
plan their outfits and hair with their hat in mind. Fur is also still a common clothing
items, but today primarily for women's coats. Women also tend to dress liberally,
especially in the summers when outfits can be scarce and white pants can be nearly
transparent. The opposite is true for Russian men; pants are the norm, but they
are almost always black, as are shoes and boots. Blue jean and tennis shoes are
expensive so uncommon in Russia today.
As a visitor to Russia any western-styled clothing is fine, but try to avoid anything
with a political message or anything that may indicate where you are from (although
foreign shirts are somewhat of a status symbol in Russia). Despite your best efforts
to fit in, blue jeans and tennis shoes will give you away as a foreigner unless
you are in Moscow. Other than this, just try to dress for the occasion; many churches,
nice restaurants, and political sites require long pants and long-sleeved shirts
for entry, while Black Sea beaches are fit for swimsuits and the clubs at night
can be rather risque.