Sarafan

Beginning at the turn of the 18th century, the sarafan became the most popular article of peasant women's clothing in the Northern and Central regions of Russia.

[citation needed] Old Russia cultivated especially during the era of Grand Principality of Moscow strong ties to Western Asia and Southwest Asia and served also as an intermediary in the trade between European countries like Sweden, and Asian countries like Persia, and what is today Turkey.

After the reforms of Peter the Great, which also introduced various Westernised or modernised cultural standards to Russia (with contention), only peasants wore the sarafan for daily use, while the upper classes switched to Central European fashion.

In many areas of the former Grand Principality of Moscow and today's Southern Russia the ponyova [ru] skirts were also worn by women.

Designers from Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine are re-imagining the sarafan style with its old national heritage for the 21st century as a summertime light dress that can be with its modern shape a part of today's woman's wardrobe.