Bunad

The bunad movement has its root in 19th-century romantic nationalis with focus on national identity, which included an interest for traditional folk costumes.

Bunad is a colorful and intricately designed attire that typically includes skirt or trousers, a shirt, a vest, and a jacket, all made from high-quality wool or silk fabric. The bunad is often adorned with various decorative elements, such as embroidery, silver buttons, and hand-sewn appliqués, which are unique to each region of Norway.

There are around 200 types of bunad. Around 80% of women own one, and while it's becoming increasingly popular amongst men, only 20 % of men own a bunad. Bunad is used within every age group. Education, social status and the place of birth does not influence the use. Most who own a bunad has one from the region they are from, but recently this has begun to change. More and more choose a bunad according to their liking, purely based on aestethics.

It usually takes up to a year to finish making the bunad as many are still made by hand. It has become a tradition for parents to give their children a bunad as a confirmation gift, which they will wear on their confirmation day. It is common to wear a bunad at various celebrations such as: folk dances, weddings, baptisms, confirmations, Christmas, graduations and especially on the 17 of May National Day celebrations.