What and where are the areas or Districts identified with the bunads?

Who should wear bunads?

How do I determine the size I need?

Should I consider making my own from a kit?

How can I get help?

What is the cost of a bunad?

Why do bunads cost so much?

A bunad is folkdress worn by people in Norway. It is based on regional designs.The folk costumes of today may or may not bear any resembalance to the oldest ones. In 1903 Hulda Garborg published a book called "Norsk Kleadebunad". this was a guide to the modern bunads, some based on old artifacts found in different districts. Today there is a Norwegian Council for Folk Costumes that gives guidence on these bunads.

Some bunads have summer and winter dress. Some have everyday types as well as festive ones. Some display large amounts of silver or gold jewlery-some have very little. Some are made with large amounts of colored wool embroidery and some have none at all. Each district has accepted a model of their regional dress for both men and women.

What and where are the areas or Districts identified with the bunads?

There are 17 areas(and within these are many sub units even down to specific farms) of Norway that have distictive folkdress.

The map shows where the various bunads come from. Sometimes it may be difficult to find a subgroup such as an island, town, village or farm which may have their own bunad.

Who should wear bunads?

In Norway today most people wear the bunad of the district that they live in or have family ties to. It may have been that bunads were worn by the land owners or "bonder" exclusively as a mark of ownership.

If you are seeking a bunad a little research into your family history should prove worthwhile is finding the right one for you. You may use the districts as guides, family origins, and specific places(farms) in selecting. many people in this country may still have relatives in Norway and this is the best source for information.

How do I determine the size I need?

European sizees are labled differently than US. We use Small, Medium and Large while they use a metric measurment. Our order form takes the actual English measurments and this is what we use for our work. It seems that if you are going to pay these high prices you should get something that is custom made to your particular size.

Should I consider making my own from a kit?

There are a few things to consider before taking on such a project. First: do I have the skill to do the intricate embroidery? Second: do I know how to fit unsewed pieces together and make them come out right? These skills will determine how well everything comes out in the end.

Kits(materialpakker) come with old Norwegian instructions and are filled with sewing terms. This makes them somewhat difficult even for those who know Norwegian. Some sources will translate into English, eg, "Place together parts bottom at left cornered(edges, seams, upper levels)and regulate".

If you decide to go this route you can ask us for help. Our Consultation/Research page should give you an idea of what help is available. It may end up being the best investment in your bunad.

How can I get help?

You can get help from us, Consultation/Research, or from others who are experienced at embroidery and fitting. There are several people who do what we do and some even have more experience as well.

What is the cost of a bunad?

Fest Bunads(the fancy ones) are faily expensive. They require hours of time doing the intricate embroidery and fitting the pieces together. They consist of a bodice, skirt, apron(some), hat, purse and shirt generally.

Kit costs(women's) will run from US$ 350-800 depending on the type. Finished fest bunads can cost US$1200-6000 as well. The other consideration for finished bunads is the waiting time. From Norway they are running from 1 to 2 years. Some providers are not even taking new orders now.

Why do bunads cost so much?

Because they require a lot of skill and time-so they do!