Kasak

Rosica Topalova, curator in Department "Ethnography"

Kasak, also called "kuse" is a type of coat worn over sukman female costume typical for the northern Karnobat region. It is worn by girls and brides on holidays or when it's cold. It is made of black homespun, but it is colorful and impressive. It has a full back, sleeveless, both fronts are cut with wedges inserted from the shoulder curve (called "bashove"). On the right front side has an outside pocket.

It is characterized by extremely rich decoration. The connecting seams are highlighted with blue piping, and the outer edges are trimmed on three rows of black piping. On the front and shoulder curves is embroidered with red, blue and yellow thread spiral ornaments here called "small kriultsi" or "dolls". The most interesting and bright decoration is back. In wedges with chain stitch (chain stitch), with multicolored silk and woolen threads are embroidered double or triple helices - "big kriultsi" that resemble the tip of the branch. They are sewn "wrists" - pompons of silk thread. Smaller linear ornaments reinforce the floral nature of the decoration.
During the winter days this coat is worn over the jacket. It is dark blue or black baize, to the waist, with long sleeves and fronts, which are also not slightly closed. Wealthy women wore the jacket of cloth, lined with lamb fur.

References:
1. Veleva MG, Lepavtsova Evg.Il. - "Bulgarian folk costumes", p.3., Ed. BAS, Sofia, 1979.
2. Cherkezova M. - "Traditional folk t Fabrics and clothing in Karnobat end" of "History and culture of Karnobat end", item 3, Publ. BAS, 1993.
Rosica Topalova, curator in "Ethnography"