News & Events

One primary function of a person’s bunad is to serve as a public appreciation of and homage to your Norwegian heritage in general and to your town or region of Norway in particular. Then you won’t have to explain to those who greet you (feeling they’ve found someone from their region) that you just liked that particular color!

The headwear can vary widely between regions as style has a historic connection to history and tradition. Often the headgear worn depends on marital status. Elaborate headgear and even bridal crowns of silver were worn on the wedding day of the couple to be married. Today many young women object to covering their hairstyle with a cap so most bunads now also offer the choice of a headband or special hair jewelry to match your other bunad silver. Right now there is also a huge movement to reconstruct folk costumes of the 18th century, complete with authentic headwear called “Hodeplog” or “Skauts”

Most, but not all bunads also were designed with a “Lauslomme” or “loose pocket” which was worn hooked at the waistline. Some are mounted on a frame of silver while others are mounted on a frame of brass. Usually the design of the clasp was particular to one or two bunads within the same County (Kommune). Embroidery on the purse usually mirrored what was on the garment itself!  As you will note the designs on these frames can be as intricate as the floral on the dresses.  Because of our limited space, we are presenting you with a brief overview of hats and purses of over a dozen bunads on loan to us from staff and Livsreise volunteers. We hope you like it.

A special thanks for loan of their bunad items goes to:

Sarah Barnes, Staci Heimsoth, Kathy Howard, Bringa Johnson, Jan Johnson, Ruth Paulson, Mary Sundby, Sally Vedal, and Sidsel Vik