Old traditional clothes were made at home from durable materials to last for several generations.

Until the end of the 19th century, the Szekler shirt, wide trousers, stockings were woven at home. The rest of the clothing was increasingly sewn from factory fabrics. Some communities have formed a unique style specific to their area. Furnishings, beautiful objects and women's clothing were in the hands of women.

Today, traditional clothes are worn only on occasions of celebration. From the middle of the 20th century, especially in the land of Palóc, Transylvania, and the Kalocsa area, it continues to exist.

The conscious cultivation of traditional costume narrows its scope of application and can rigidly bind some of its characteristics. The costume breaks from everyday life, and becomes a historical piece: historicization is what fixes and strengthens the form, as if locked in a museum display case.

Others try to preserve the treasure of the popular form by extracting the traditional motif from its original environment, and using it on household textiles and as decoration on certain items of clothing.