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Norwegian National CostumesJust in case you didn't know, Norwegians wear regular western clothing. These special garments are worn on holidays and special occasions, such as weddings and 17th of May, Norway's Constitution Day.
Men's bunad from Northern Gudbrandsdal
There are a lot variations in the old tradition of Norway's bunader. Even some small villages and towns have their own unique nationaldrakt/festbunad (suit), especially for ladies, but for men, boys and girls.    Girls in Norwegian National Costume  Dolls dressed in Norwegian bunader And guess what? You can even buy a "every-day suit" (kvardagsbunad/hverdagsdrakt), as well. Every-day suits are from colorful cotton fabrics, of excellent quality, but are fairly plain in comparison to a bunad/festbunadand (party/celebration bunad). It has very little embroidery, if any, and usually has a sterling silver brooch placed on the blouse. All ladies national costumes have sterling silver brooches on the blouses.
The clasps on purses, brooches, buttons, clasps, belt buckles and ornaments on shoes are made of sterling silver or pewter.  Hand Embroidered Purse w/Pewter Clasp and Pewter Belt Kvardagsbunad is still very pretty, but are less expensive than the "fest" garment, which costs around $3,000.00 or more. Needless to say, these beautiful garments are heirlooms. The price does not seem to stop the Norwegians from owning these precious garments.
In Hardanger, many families havetheir own special crowns that brides wear on their wedding day. Hardangerbunad (left)
Notice the unusual embroidery on the apron,which is called Hardangersøm (Hardanger stitching orembroidery).These garments are also called Festbunader (Celebration Costumes). The blouses are made of white linen orcotton. The white aprons are made of cotton. The suits are usually made of wool fabric, but kvardagsdrakter are usually made of cotton fabric. My cousin, Ann Bodil, (left)
Norwegian national costumes. Their son is wearing The Norwegian King's Royal Guards uniform. 
Norwegians are patriotic, and on 17th of May, it seems that EVERYBODY brings out their Norwegian flag to show that they love their country. They are very proud of being Norwegian. If they don't carry a flag in their hand, they display red, white and blue ribbons on their coats. Gutt i Norsk Nasjonaldrakt
Oppedal Kongen (The King of Oppedal). Last, but not least, a picture of my Great,Great,Great,Great Grandfather Knut Oppedal, also called Oppedal Kongen (the King of Oppedal) wearing a Norwegian costume. Notice how the suit is similar to the one the little boy is wearing above. More about the Oppedal King another time. Go to Home page after Norwegian National Costumes |
My sister-in-law Marit wearing her Hardangerbunad
