The Ukrainian vyshyvanka long ago stopped being something we put on two or three times a year. Embroidered clothing is now a world trend, and having several such pieces in a wardrobe is the rule rather than the exception. If you too like wearing embroidered clothing to all sorts of occasions, our advice on how to choose a vyshyvanka is well worth a look.

Choosing the size

Whatever the occasion you are dressing for, the first thing to settle is the size. That matters especially when you have taken a liking to something in an online store, ours included. Shopping online widens the search and saves your time. Every maker may have its own particularities of tailoring and sizing, so it is better to measure yourself again. How to do it properly is explained in the article «How to take measurements» on our site. Once all the measurements are taken, look at the size chart, which is given for every design on our site. Do note that you should not go by the measurements of clothing you already wear, such as T-shirts, jumpers or garments that button up or cling to the figure, because a vyshyvanka is mostly pulled on over the head and needs a few extra centimetres for a loose fit.

Choosing the cut

Each of us is unique, and not everyone fits standard sizes. In that case it is worth considering your build and the visual effect you want. As for women, every woman wants to be forgiving of her figure and bring out its best. Our ancestors had a great many particular techniques of tailoring; among them were full wide sleeves, a large opening at the chest and fabric gathered at the neckline. Most women's embroidered shirts, then as now, were sewn so that the sleeve was cut together with the shoulder part of the front and back. Shirts made this way are an ideal option for women whose shoulders are narrower or wider than the standard. Do note, though, that such a cut, especially with fabric gathered at the neckline, adds volume. Women who want to look slimmer do well to choose a design where the sleeves are cut from the shoulder. If you are choosing a dress or a tunic, it is worth following the general advice of designers: wide sleeves, full, voluminous pieces and gathered skirts add size to a figure, while long dresses make it look slimmer. So slender women can choose pieces on the same principle. Our site offers beautiful loose-cut dresses with embroidery that creates volume, as well as fitted pieces that bring out the figure, and dresses with wide skirts and sleeves that balance the hips and the chest.

For men with a non-standard build, finding the perfect shirt is not as simple as it may seem either. If you cannot settle on a size from the chart by sleeve length or shoulder width, it is better to go by the universal measurement for a vyshyvanka — the chest. And if you are choosing a shirt for formal occasions, to wear with a suit, we have modern designs with buttons, chosen in the same way as a standard men's shirt.

Today a Ukrainian customer may feel lost among the variety the market offers. The range of prices can be surprising too — why, for instance, a handmade piece may cost less than a machine-embroidered one. The main reason, of course, is the quality of the materials. These fabrics go into shirts: linen, cotton, homespun cloth, batiste, and fabrics with synthetic and natural additions. Hand embroidery is always valued more highly than the same work done by machine. But a machine-embroidered vyshyvanka with a complex pattern, many colours and an intricate cut may cost more because of the greater amount of thread and fabric and the technique involved. An affordable option is the so-called «nashyvanka», where a woven pattern is sewn onto a finished shirt. Such a shirt is a wonderful option for everyday wear or for children, who grow so quickly.

An important thing to consider is where exactly you will wear the vyshyvanka. For everyday wear, buy a vyshyvanka in natural fabrics with a simple cut, so you can go about your business freely. For celebrations there are beaded pieces, dresses and vyshyvankas with an unusual cut, combinations of different fabrics and white-on-white embroidery. You can also choose the cut and the pattern to your own taste. Made-to-measure tailoring is available at our store too.

Many people prefer the traditional shirt cut and patterns with symbolic meaning. Over time the Ukrainian vyshyvanka has gradually moved from traditional patterns and ways of cutting towards modern ideas, patterns and techniques. So at the Vyshyvanochka.ua store you will find everything from traditional vyshyvankas to modern designer pieces.