Northern clothing is characterized by simplicity of form, strength of symbols, and strong contrasting colors. It is closely linked to mountain life and the code of honor, as well as the tradition of hospitality and pride.
For men, the typical clothing is the white xhoka or xhubleta, made of sheep's wool, which was used in the cold and at work.
The long white shirt is combined with narrow trousers and a plis (white woolen hat), which symbolizes Albanian purity and faith.
For women, the jubba and jublette are the most popular items.
The xhubleta, a skirt with arched shapes and a wide embroidered belt, is among the oldest garments in Europe, documented since Illyrian times.
It has been included in the UNESCO Intangible Heritage of Humanity List (2022), as a symbol of the culture and craftsmanship of highland women.
The common colors are black, red, and white, which are interpreted as signs of earth, blood, and light, a symbolic tripartite that permeates all of Albanian ethnography.
