The dress of Oliena (su hustùmene) is something precious. It is always hand-sewn, made of fine textiles, intense colours, elaborate shapes, and marvellous gold jewels. The seamstress, to make one, needs several helping hands: weavers, embroiderers and dyers. The dyers, in particular, use only local flowers to impress the colours of their land on the dress – maybe these are among the reasons why the traditional dress is still a very strong symbol of the Sardinian identity.
The costume was used for daily purposes until a few decades ago, but it was also seen as a status symbol – aside from its aesthetics, it would tell the town, age, wealth, and status of the wearer.
It was popularly used in Oliena until the 30s of the ’900 century. After that, it became a symbol of belonging, and it started being used only in particular circumstances, just like in the rest of the island.