What is the traditional Armenian dress called?

The traditional Armenian costume is called the Taraz. It varies significantly by region, reflecting different historical provinces of Armenia.

How can I make a DIY Armenian Taraz?

You can create a DIY Taraz by layering a velvet robe over a long red dress, adding a decorated apron with geometric fabric paint, and gluing toy coins to a headband with a white veil.

What accessories are essential for the Armenian Taraz?

The key accessories are a wide silver or fabric belt, an embroidered apron, and a traditional headpiece decorated with coins and a sheer veil.

AI-generated example

Traditional Armenian Dress Costume

Celebrate Armenian heritage with a beautifully detailed, traditional Taraz costume.

The traditional Armenian dress, known as the Taraz, is a stunning representation of cultural heritage and artistry. Often worn for cultural festivals, dance performances, and heritage events, this look features vibrant colors, rich fabrics, and intricate geometric embroidery. The classic women's ensemble is defined by a layered gown, a decorated apron, a wide belt, and an ornate coin-trimmed headpiece.

Difficulty: Medium
Time: ~45 min
Budget: $50–150

See yourself as Traditional Armenian Dress →What you need Buy the Traditional Armenian Dress costume

Try it on

See yourself as Traditional Armenian Dress

One clear photo of yourself; we render you in this costume — face untouched, full body, about 20 seconds.

Choose or drop a photo of yourselfJPG · PNG · HEIC

One render, $1. No account needed — if it fails you're not charged. Pricing.

Your photo is sent to Google's Gemini API to make the render and isn't used for training. Renders are AI-generated and labelled.

Want a different costume on this photo, or a whole group in costume? Open the Try-On Studio.

Traditional Armenian Dress costume — Example look · AI-generated

You as Traditional Armenian Dress

Result

What you need for a Traditional Armenian Dress costume

Short on time? Buy it ready-made

Spirit Halloween sells the complete Traditional Armenian Dress costume — one box instead of 5 pieces.

Shop Traditional Armenian Dress at Spirit ↗

Long-sleeved underdress
A floor-length, long-sleeved dress or chemise in red, blue, or white satin or linen.
DIY: Use a plain red or white maxi dress as the base.
Amazon
Embroidered outer robe
An open-front velvet or brocade kaftan-style robe, often with split sleeves, in a contrasting dark color like navy, green, or deep red.
DIY: Modify a long velvet cardigan by cutting the sleeves to create a split-sleeve look.
Amazon
Embroidered apron
A colorful rectangular apron featuring traditional Armenian geometric embroidery or woven patterns.
DIY: Decorate a plain red or green apron using fabric paint or iron-on geometric trim.
Amazon
Wide fabric or metallic belt
A wide fabric sash or a decorative silver-toned metal coin belt worn around the waist.
DIY: Wrap a wide red fabric sash around the waist and pin decorative coins to the front.
Amazon
Traditional headpiece
A stiff, circular headband decorated with gold or silver coins, paired with a sheer white veil draped over the back.
DIY: Glue plastic gold coins to a thick red headband and attach a piece of sheer white tulle or chiffon to the back.
Amazon

Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Traditional Armenian Dress costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗

How to put it together

1
Put on the long-sleeved satin or linen underdress as your base layer.
2
Layer the open-front velvet kaftan or outer robe over the dress, ensuring the sleeves drape elegantly.
3
Tie the embroidered folk apron around your waist, positioning it directly in the center front.
4
Secure the wide fabric sash or silver coin belt over the top edge of the apron to hold everything in place.
5
Style your hair into two long, neat braids parted down the middle.
6
Place the coin-trimmed headband on your head, adjusting the sheer white veil so it drapes smoothly over your shoulders.

Makeup & hair

Part your hair down the center and style it into two long braids. Keep makeup natural and classic, focusing on neat eyebrows, a touch of blush, and a soft red or berry lip color.

Traditional Armenian Dress for couples, groups, kids & more

couples: Pair the women's Taraz with a men's traditional Armenian outfit featuring dark trousers, a high-collared tunic, a wide fabric belt, and a wool papakha hat.
group: Gather a group to represent different historical provinces of Armenia, each utilizing distinct regional colors and embroidery patterns.
kids: A miniature version of the Taraz using a simple red cotton dress, a felt apron with painted-on patterns, and a soft coin headband.
Plus size: Opt for a loose-fitting, flowy satin underdress and an open-front kaftan that can be adjusted easily with a tie-on fabric sash.

Tips

Choose lightweight fabrics like satin or cotton blends for the underdress if you plan to wear the costume indoors or for dancing.
Secure the headpiece with bobby pins to keep it from sliding off during movement.
Look for jacquard or geometric ribbon trims at craft stores to easily add authentic-looking borders to your apron and robe.

Traditional Armenian Dress costume FAQ

What is the traditional Armenian dress called?: The traditional Armenian costume is called the Taraz. It varies significantly by region, reflecting different historical provinces of Armenia.
How can I make a DIY Armenian Taraz?: You can create a DIY Taraz by layering a velvet robe over a long red dress, adding a decorated apron with geometric fabric paint, and gluing toy coins to a headband with a white veil.
What accessories are essential for the Armenian Taraz?: The key accessories are a wide silver or fabric belt, an embroidered apron, and a traditional headpiece decorated with coins and a sheer veil.

Did you know? Historically, the design, colors, and embroidery of an Armenian Taraz could reveal a person's marital status, age, wealth, and which province they were from.