ECO-EXPRESS YOURSELF, with a traditional costume.

ECO-EXPRESS YOURSELF

WITH A TRADITIONAL COSTUME

---

 Today is the Norwegian Constitution Day, and as annual as this event, is wearing the Norwegian National Costume (bunad) to celebrate it.
Not all Norwegians own one, but many do. There are about 200 different styles of this traditional costume, and it's usually connected to a county or city that you hail from. You only need one, It's an outfit that never go out of style and can be used for any black tie event. 

The quality is so good on this sturdy piece of craftsmanship, that it will last for a lifetime and for generations to come. It actually doesn't get a lot more sustainable than this. It's handmade locally, for very fair wages (it's expensive, and seen as a lifetime investment). It's made from 100% wool and linen, you only buy one in your lifetime and then it's passed down to the next generation until it's worn out. The one I'm wearing (Kvinnebunad fra Norddal) is over 20 years old, and I'm now the second generation to wear it. My mother used it before me, now I wear it at least once a year (Don't worry, my mother is fine. I inherited it because this is the traditional costume for where my dad is from and they're divorced now, so it made more sense I'd wear it), and you can alter the size as you age, or if your body changes (As I might have to, the buttons were about to pop last year as you can see in the photo. Fingers crossed it fits better this year).

All of this makes this dress and outfit the most eco-friendly and ethical piece of clothing I own, so I had to share it as a part of the ECO-EXPRESS YOURSELF series.
In short, new isn't necessarily better. Think quality over quality and let's bring back slow fashion.

(My friend is wearing a Vestfoldbunad in the photo above, and the same one all the way to the left in the photo below. The costume in the middle is a Gákti, the traditional clothing worn by the Northern Sámi people, then me it's in my Norddalsbunad, and the one to my right is an Åmlibunad.)

This day and that outfit, reminds me how lucky I am to live in a free country, that has free education and free healthcare. 
​To me, this day is about equality, freedom and human rights, for everyone.

​

​Happy birthday Norway 
​

---

for more eco-friendly fashion advice, click here.

---