Stefan Czarniecki in crimson kontusz.

Kontusz was, from the 16th century, the outer garment of Polish and Lithuanian male szlachta (nobility or gentry). It came to the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth via Hungary from Turkey. In the 17th century, together with an inner garment (żupan), the kontusz became the most notable element of male Polish national attire.

Jan Zamoyski in crimson kontusz and blue silk żupan tied with pas kontuszowy.

The kontusz was a long robe, usually reaching to below the knees, with a set of decorative buttons down the front. The sleeves were long and loose, on hot days worn untied. In winter a fur lining could be attached to the kontusz, or a delia worn over it. The kontusz was usually of a vivid color, and the lining had to be of a contrasting hue. The kontusz was tied with a long, wide belt called a pas kontuszowy.

In 1778, Sejm deputies from different voivodships of Poland were obliged to wear different-colored żupans and kontuszes denoting their voivodships.

See also:

• żupan
• szlachta