Bunads

The following excerpt was submitted by Betty Rockswold, reprinted with permission from Between Rocks and Hard Places, by Ann Gesme.

"The bunad, or festive Norwegian folk costume, was made of sturdy fabric and fine workmanship, decorated with embroidery, requiring a great deal of time and a high degree of skill to fashion. There was a costume for men as well as for women. The design of the women's bunad was such that it could be let out or taken in, depending on the volume of the wearer, so that the bunad which was first worn by a young girl when she was confirmed, was the same one she continued to wear on special occasions the rest of her life. It was worn on special occasions such as baptisms, confirmations, weddings, Christmas, etc."

Left: Vang and Slidre Bunad

Right: Valdres Bunad

"Everday clothing was of plain design but equally as sturdy as the bunad. Each district in Norway has developed its own distinctive costume or bunad, based on styles and designs of clothing most commonly worn in a particular district in earlier times."

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Last updated: December 26, 2007