Portugal is the westernmost country of mainland Europe, being bordered to the west and south by the Atlantic Ocean and to the north and east by Spain. The Republic of Portugal also includes the two Atlantic archipelagos of the Azores and Madeira, both autonomous regions with their own regional governments. Its population in 2017 is 10,294,289.
History
Portugal is one of the oldest European nation-states. The territory of modern Portugal has been continuously settled, invaded and fought over since prehistoric times. The Pre-Celts, Celts, Carthaginians and Romans were followed by the invasions of the Visigoths and Suebi Germanic peoples. The Muslim Moors then invaded the Iberian Peninsula (i.e. the region now known as Portugal and Spain) in 711 CE and occupied most of it. After the Battle of São Mamede in 1128, the winner of the battle Afonso Henriques affirmed the sovereignty of the County of Portugal and styled himself Prince of Portugal. He was proclaimed King of Portugal in 1139 and then recognised as such by neighbouring kingdoms in 1143.
In the 15th and 16th centuries, Portugal established the first global empire, becoming one of the world’s major economic, political and military powers. Portugal has left a profound cultural and architectural influence across the globe and a legacy of over 250 million Portuguese speakers today. Portugal’s colonial history has long since been a cornerstone of its national identity, as has its geographic position at the south-western corner of Europe, looking out into the Atlantic Ocean. It was one of the last western colonial European powers to give up its overseas territories (the last in 1999). Consequently, it has both influenced and been influenced by cultures from former colonies or dependencies, resulting in immigration from these former territories for both economic and personal reasons.
Traditional clothing
Throughout most of Portugal’s history its people were poor farmers and fisher folk. Because the rural areas were very isolated, traditional clothing was worn until well into late 20th century. The materials were very colourful due to patterns woven into the cloth and embroidery. The design of the clothes tends to be conform across the country, though there are regional differences. Red and black are the two most popular colours.
Traditional women’s costumes typically consist of long bouffant skirts (saia) with vibrant checked or striped patterns (most often in red and white) with a blouse and sometimes a waistcoat/bodice. Highly embroidered aprons are worn over the skirt. The outfit is completed with a headscarf to cover the hair. Traditionally, women wear several ornate gold necklaces and finish their outfit with a matching headscarf worn in a variety of ways: ends hanging down, tied under the chin or behind the neck.
Traditionally, Portuguese men wear short trousers to just below the knees or long trousers, waistcoats and sombreros.
Alentejo cattleman are well-known for their trademark red and green stocking cap. This traditional dress is still worn in some areas, along with the samarra, a short jacket accented with a collar of fox fur.
In the Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro region, shepherds continue to dress in the traditional straw cloak.
Black felt hats are worn by both women and men in a variety of styles. Women wear porkpie hats with a narrow brim, while men wear narrow- or wide-brimmed hats in the Spanish style. The women wear their hats over a headscarf.
While traditional dress is not widely worn nowadays, it is still used at weddings and festivals
References
Condra Jill (2013) Encyclopedia of National dress. Traditional clothing around the world. Volume 2.ISBN 978-0313-37635-8
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portugal
Pictures
1) Viana do Castelo, Portugal – http://thelovelyplanet.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Traditional-costumes-from-Viana-do-Castelo-Portugal.-Image-by-martapiqs.jpg
2) Colourful embroidery on the bodice of a woman’s costume from Minho – http://www.imagesofportugal.net/?search=traditional+dress
3) A Mordoma (a woman in charge of the house servants) in full costume with jewellery – https://qph.ec.quoracdn.net/main-qimg-b7313f656b937d2919bea52500e39fd3-c
4) Atlentjo man and woman – https://i.pinimg.com/736x/3d/05/33/3d0533e313748498019b47bb1d90d4e3–folk-costume-portuguese.jpg
5) Men from Atlentjo wearing different costumes and a woman from the same region – https://image.slidesharecdn.com/leandro1-1234912531845695-2/95/diversidade-cultural-de-portugal-5-728.jpg?cb=1234891254
6) A samarra showing the fox-fur collar – https://i.pinimg.com/736x/af/a7/4a/afa74a75b1fc78e0826e9c8d56e1664e–portuguese.jpg
7) Straw cloak – https://i.pinimg.com/736x/19/73/33/19733368e7be74046fa4bd2604585f87–douro-portuguese.jpg
8) Portuguese hats – https://cdn.theculturetrip.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/8622321270_4d919584a1_b.jpg
Map – https://www.roughguides.com/maps/europe/portugal/
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National costume dolls 
Just for your information regarding the history of Portugal. Prince Alfonso finally got rid of the Moors or Islamics from Portugal. Portugal is a Catholic Country and did not want the influence of the Mouros (moors) there.
Thank you.
Sorry but Portugal as all countries in this world has been influenced by other cultures and it is not something that should be denied. It does not detract from how you see your country however or the changes that have taken place over time. this is especially true with things sartorial.
Hi, sorry but I cannot see your comment for some region. Could you please send it again?
Babog