Bridal Clothing

Bridal clothing is something unique in Norwegian folk dress. In many places brides have worn crowns or the older lad. The bringesylv, a large red bib to which silver jewelry and other orna­ments were attached, and other items like silver belts and bridal pendant were a part of many bridal costumes. Black or red jackets, and red skirts with white aprons are traditional color combina­tions found on many bridal costumes. The bridegroom often had a brudgoms­duk, a richly embroidered square of linen cloth which was fastened to his shirt, as in Telemark and Hardanger. The hatteklut is a similar piece of cloth hung from the hat and was used in Telemark and Setesdal.

Confirmation

Confirmation marked the transition from child to adult. Girls put up their hair and started wearing the head-wear of unmarried women. In Setesdal girls wore bridal aprons for the ceremony. At confirmation young people wore for the first time the church clothes they would wear for years to come as adults.

Baptism

The child being baptized wore a kristne-luva, an exquisitely decorated cap which could be different for boys and girls. A red, decorated bib was also part of the baptismal costume.

Non-church Clothing

Non-church clothes were worn outside of church and could be grouped into Sunday clothes and everyday clothes. Sunday clothes, not church clothes, were worn at funerals because these were usually held at home and not at church. This custom lasted into the 1960s many places in Norway.

Everyday Clothing

Everyday clothes had the same cut as finer clothes, but were made from more durable fabric and had little or no dec­oration. Good clothes that wore out became everyday clothes.