The Tarantella Sorrentina Costume, Piece by Piece
When the Sorrento Folk dancers walk in, the first thing guests notice is the colour: red caps, velvet waistcoats, rainbow sashes swinging with every turn. The costume of the tarantella sorrentina, the traditional folk dance of Sorrento, is more than a stage outfit. Every piece has a set shape, and the names alone (fisherman's trousers, sailor's neckerchief) tell you it comes from the sea. Here is how it is put together, piece by piece.
The men's costume
The men's outfit is simple in cut and bold in colour. From top to toe:
- A red wool cap with a black band and a pointed tip, the most recognisable piece of the whole tradition.
- A multicoloured sailor-style neckerchief, knotted at the throat.
- A waistcoat, often in two colours, fastened with gold buttons.
- A multicoloured sash tied at the waist and knotted on the left hip.
- Fisherman-style trousers with a side slit.
- White wool socks.
- Black shoes trimmed with a little red rose.
It is a costume made for moving. The slit in the trousers frees the legs for the hops and the sideways traversè, and the waistcoat leaves the arms free. In the tarantella sorrentina it is the men who play the nacchere (castanets), so they need to lift their arms high above their heads without anything getting in the way.
The women's costume
The women's costume is the more detailed of the two. Look closely and almost every piece carries some kind of trim.
- A white short-sleeved blouse with ruffles and lace.
- A coloured velvet bodice, low-cut and laced at the front, with gold stripes.
- A multicoloured sash at the waist, tied behind in a big bow.
- A white lace apron.
- A pleated velvet skirt with three gold bands along the hem.
- White lace-trimmed bloomers under the skirt.
- Wool stockings.
- Black ballet flats with a little red rose, matching the men's shoes.
The pleated skirt is what everyone watches once the couple starts dancing. In the spins and in the rondeau it opens like a wheel, and the three gold bands draw a ring of light. The lace bloomers are there for a practical reason too: a spinning skirt rises. And the red rose on both partners' shoes is the small detail that makes a couple look like a pair at a glance.
Two extra characters: Pazzariello and Pulcinella
Alongside the couples, the show can feature two figures from the Neapolitan tradition, each with a costume of their own.
Pazzariello wears a white shirt, a black velvet jacket with gold and red ribbons, a sash with a small tie, black knee-length breeches and, above all, a huge hat with coloured feathers that makes him easy to spot from anywhere in the room.
Pulcinella is dressed all in white, with puffed sleeves and a small white hat, a black half-mask with a big nose and a red cord. Children recognise him instantly.
Hand-sewn by Sorrento seamstresses
Sorrento Folk's costumes are sewn by hand by local seamstresses in Sorrento. You can see it in the details: the lace on the blouse and apron, the gold stripes stitched onto velvet, the waistcoat buttons, the many-coloured sashes. These are traditional garments, not costumes bought for one night, and that is why in a show they matter as much as the steps.
When the group dances at a wedding, on a sea-view terrace or in a hotel garden, the costumes become part of the setting. In group photos with the bride and groom, the bright sashes and red caps do the rest.
Where to see them in motion
A costume is best seen moving: the skirt flaring, the sash swinging, the red cap keeping time. If you are planning a wedding on the Amalfi Coast or in Sorrento, our tarantella dancers can welcome your guests, accompany your entrance or liven up the cake cutting. You will find every option on the tarantella at your wedding page. For hotels, companies and private parties, see our tarantella show for events.
To dig deeper, the costumes page has photos of each piece, and the dance page explains the steps that make the skirts spin. For a date or a tailored proposal, write to Daniela through the quote request page.
