Bunad, 17 May | “Spicing up” one’s clothes is completely pointless

When one of the few traditional garments we have left suddenly becomes a trend garment, we have to stop.

Bunad is – and should not be – a trend garment. That’s the whole point of the national kit; it should be used as is, over and over again throughout life.

Behind the suit lie hours of craftsmanship, cultural heritage, resources and quality materials such as wool, linen and silver. “Spicing up” one’s clothes is completely pointless.

Not everyone has bunad, and it’s just as easy to wear party clothes, dresses and suits – or sew your own creation for 17 May. But when “adventure stacks” and self-sewn party costumes become so trendy that Bunad people feel the need to replace the traditional linen shirt with new colors and patterns, then we have a problem.

Are Norwegians actually so weak for trends that we have to renew our precious traditional garment?

Goes right into the trap

This tops the cake of unnecessary consumption, and just proves that we have too much money and too little respect for craftsmanship and cultural heritage.

Everyone who runs a shop has a desire to make money, which is why new clothing products and designs within shirts and accessories are constantly being released. In addition, many influencers do paid assignments to promote and influence us to buy these products.

On Instagram, for example, ads from Embla Bunader abound, which, according to NRK, produces bunaders in Thailand. 8,600 kilometers from Norway, there are low-paid tailors sewing Nordland clothing and belt stitching, as well as new silk shawls and blouses that we can replace the “boring linen shirt” with.

Norwegian bunad with low production costs from Asia, it’s a bit of a cultural heritage, isn’t it? In addition, many influencers do paid assignments to promote – and influence us to buy these products.

Do we really have to fall into the trap?

If you are lucky enough to have a bunad, and really get tired of wearing “the same one over and over again” when you see advertisements for cute silk blouses and new designs, you should almost sell it on to someone who will appreciate the suit more.

Why on earth should we “spiff up” a garment that is already so beautiful, practical, versatile and valuable?

I love seeing smiling Norwegians in the streets on May 17, no matter what they’re wearing. I personally think it’s absolutely fantastic to wear the trønderbunad I got for my graduation every year, which I wear just as proudly to this day.

Wearing clothes that symbolize my regional identity and belonging feels completely unique, and it’s exciting to hear about other people’s clothes and history. There should have been more occasions to wear this wonderful garment just as it is!

No, I’m not a police officer. It’s just crazy how short-term trends influence people to renew their bunad. The garment is good enough as it is, and should rather inspire us to calm down our overconsumption and actually use the quality garments we already have – over and over again.

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