When the winter becomes too grey and too long, it is always a delight to reminisce of brighter things. Things that would happily greet us in the break of spring or in the festivities of midsummer.
These two ladies from Dalarna, are wearing folk or peasant costumes that would become the base for the national costume of Sweden. The long-sleeve shirt, ankle-length skirt, apron, belt, bag, waistcoat, kerchief or neckwear, and headdress are standard items.
However, different areas have their own style and patterns. For example, the attire of a lady from Blekinge as illustrated below. She is carrying an antique wooden basket with carvings on the sides and lockable cover. Notice that she has on a different style of headdress, neckwear, waistcoat and apron. She also fashions a long sash as her belt.
The ordinary folks themselves decided on how creative they wanted to be - that should be considered as something extraordinary and something to be proud of, I would say.
Author
Helena C. Rådström
- First Image: Painting by Carl Larsson, titled “I Bergmansstugan” or “At the Bergman’s Cottage” (1914).
- Second Image: Illustration by unknown artist.
Tags: costume, painting, art, history, culture, life, celebration
