Traditional Waldensian Dress

It is customary for Waldensian women from the Piedmont valleys to wear traditional dresses for special religious and civil celebrations.

How are they made?
The dress is made from dark material with the collar edged in white lace.
The shawl is usually of silk, synthetic fabric, or light wool. It may be brightened with either painted, screen printed, or embroidered flowers.
The apron, like the shawl, is an important, decorative part of the costume. This too, may be varied in fabric with use of iridescent, silk-like fabric, or other, according to taste and color coordination.

The Waldensian Coiffe is basically of starched material in lace or embroidered fabric and is worn only for church functions. When young girls begin courses in Catechism, coiffes are worn to church in black or navy.
When they join the church and receive their first communion, they are privileged to wear the white coiffe.
Traditionally, the white coiffe is an important item of bridal attire. Legend has it that the white ribbon on the coiffe is draped over the left shoulder and after the wedding vows is transferred to the back.