17 May in Norway. I've seen lots and lots of beautiful traditional embroideries, enough to inspire me for a while.

by mops 18 May 2013

There is no such thing as a national dress in Europe, they are all regional or even town specific, with their own rules about colours - mourning for instance had strict rules on colours and on the time it had to be worn. My mum, who never wore it, was forced by her mother to follow the rules and wore black only for seven years after her dad died when she was 14. As fabrics were expensive cutting was avoided if possible - so skirts were shirred or folded to fit the waist. The shirts are rectangles as well, only the neckline is shaped by scissors. Most costumes go back to 16th or 17th centuries fashion. In the picture you can see some red tops, same shape as those in Austria, Bavaria and some Dutch towns. In the Netherlands there's only a few places you can see women wearing their genuine 'dracht' on a daily basis and most of them are in old peoples homes.
Of course there are the fake ones, like the Frau Antje to advertise cheese.

My granddaughters have long hair (all but one) and I share your feelings, brush and hairspray would be nice.

by mops edited 18 May 2013

It was indeed a bit cool this year, summer has arrived today. Both my grandmothers wore the regional dress of Scheveningen daily till their deaths in 1974, even when others complained about the heat. But I must say one of the two bought the most expensive

by mops 17 May 2013

The dresses are wool and often embroidered by mothers. You can buy them too, from relatively cheap supermarket items to handmade to order. My daughter's neighbour - who made and embroidered her daughter's outfit 3 years ago - told me the family has handmade 'bumad' for girls and boys in all children's sizes, that circulate among the family members. Must be a real treasure chest!

by spendlove 17 May 2013

Wonderful - thanks

by mops 17 May 2013

Thank you. They all wear the costume from either the place/region they were born or from the town/region they live in. And the type of embroidery is regional. There were a few women from the hardanger area - they had lovely white linen aprons with hardanger cutwork.

by mops 17 May 2013

Too bad about the girls at your school. Schools make attending oligatory, so do sport and social clubs that have their parades in the afternoon. And parents are applauding along the road morning and afternoon ...
No police to be seen, no fences put up, everything as orderly and friendly as could be. Wish we were that disciplined! Just one policeman rode a motor in front of the parade, stopped at the corner where we were standing. A small boy left his mum standing, ran to the policeman and was given a big hug. I love Norway!

by spendlove 17 May 2013

Not only the youngsters, Dennis. It is a sad fact, but most English people have no wish to celebrate heritage and tradition.

by dennis999 17 May 2013

You are, of course, quite right Sue. Mind you, when you have a Labour council of a small town in Somerset voting not to fly the English national flag out of respect for not wishing to upset certain minority groups, what hope is there!

by toet 17 May 2013

I went to Somerset a few years back to track down family tree. Big trip from Australia.

by asterixsew 17 May 2013

Look forward to seeing what designs you produce from this inspiration

by mops 17 May 2013

May 17 is the national feast-day in Norway. This was one of the school classes that took part in the parade. Television is broadcasting all day the parade in the capital, Oslo. This was taken in Sandnes near Stavanger on the south western coast.