Bunad in general

Norwegians have been wearing bunads on all kinds of occasions and for all kinds of purposes for almost 150 years. The widespread and popular use of bunads in Norway is unique in the European context. While in other countries national costumes are worn primarily in connection with folk dancing, in Norway the bunad is a festive garment that is worn by most people, young and old. Today, the wearing of bunads is more popular than ever before. Around 450 different costumes and garments are known as bunads, making a very rich and varied collection.

Attitudes to how and to what degree bunads should conform to the old folk costumes have constantly evolved. Put simply, bunads can be categorised according to their background:

1. Bunads that represent the final link in folk costume development. Folk costumes gradually gained new interest and purpose as bunads, especially in connection with festive and formal occasions, without falling into disuse.

2. Bunads with a background in a folk costume that fell into disuse but was not forgotten. Even when a folk costume had fallen into disuse, many people knew roughly what it had looked like. New garments were made based either on this knowledge or on actual old garments that still existed.

3. Bunads that are methodically reconstructed based on preserved folk costume garments originating in the same area and time period and of the same costume type. These bunads have been reconstructed from folk costumes that fell into disuse. Sources that say something about the costume type, such as written information, drawings and oral traditions, are used in the reconstruction process.

4. Bunads that are made based on random, old and incomplete source material. Any parts for which no model can be found are designed in the same style as the rest of the bunad.

5. Bunads that are designed completely or partly freehand, some of which feature elements from folk costumes found in source material while others were inspired by different types of objects or garments.