1940s Eastern European Embroidered Blouse – Hand Embroidered Blue Folk Blouse on Cotton Gauze

 A beautiful traditional embroidered blouse crafted from soft, airy cotton gauze and richly decorated with hand embroidery in deep cobalt blue. Blouses like this, often known as “ie,” are among the most iconic garments of Eastern European folk dress and have inspired designers for decades.

This example likely dates to the 1940s, a period when traditional folk blouses were still widely handmade and worn throughout Eastern Europe. The blouse features intricate geometric embroidery across the shoulders and sleeves, combined with smaller symbolic motifs running down the bodice and arms. The embroidery is executed in striking blue thread against the soft cream cotton, creating a beautiful contrast typical of Romanian folk textiles.

The neckline is softly gathered and hand embroidered, allowing the blouse to sit elegantly across the shoulders. The lightweight cotton gauze fabric makes it wonderfully breathable and comfortable to wear, while the loose silhouette gives it that effortlessly romantic folk look.

These blouses were traditionally hand embroidered and could take many hours of work to complete, which is why well-preserved examples remain highly sought after today. This piece pairs beautifully with denim, suede, or skirts and can be worn loose, tucked, or styled oversized.

Condition

Very good vintage condition. The cotton remains soft and wearable and the embroidery is rich and beautifully preserved. Minor signs of age may be present as expected for a handmade garment of this age but nothing that detracts from the overall beauty of the piece.

Measurements (taken flat)

Bust (pit to pit): 60 cm / 23.6 in

Waist: 59 cm / 23.2 in

Hips: 64 cm / 25.2 in

Sleeve length: 56 cm / 22 in

Neck opening: 26 cm / 10.2 in

Length (front): 58 cm / 22.8 in

Length (back): 55 cm / 21.7 in

Size

Due to the loose folk cut this blouse fits a wide range of sizes.

Approximate modern size: EU 36–42 depending on desired fit

UK 8–14

US 4–10

S-XL

Model measurements

Model is a petite EU 36 for reference.