“The Common Swedish National Costume” (“den Allmänna Svenska Nationaldräkten”) with its delicate embroidery was created in Falun, in 1903, by Märta Jörgensen of the Women’s National Costume Society, in cooperation with the artists Gustav Ankarcrona, Anders Zorn and Carl Larsson.

The Swedish National Costume has become very popular, not least thanks to Her Majesty the Queen Silvia and the Swedish princesses wearing it on the Swedish National Day at Skansen (open-air cultural heritage museum in Stockholm).

The Tullgarn Costume - A Source of Inspiration

Märta Jörgensen had previously encountered "folk costumes" and the advantages they presented, while employed as a horticultural apprentice at Tullgarn Palace.

Crown Princess Viktoria had introduced the custom of wearing traditional costumes at Tullgarn Palace, thus the entire female staff wore the Tullgarn Costume, which was inspired by the Österåker Costume.

As no previous tradition of wearing folk dress existed in towns, and people did not wear folk dress everywhere in the countryside either, there was need of a costume that could be worn by all Swedish women. This is the origin of the Common Swedish National Costume (den Allmänna Svenska Nationaldräkten).
(Image on left borrowed from the website of the Sörmland Museum)

The Swedish National Costume

Ladies

The complete costume comprises a bodice, a skirt, a blouse and an apron, all made of cotton with hand-woven ribbons, a brooch and a pewter buckle. The apron and the bodice are hand-embroidered with marguerites.

The cape, of the same material as the costume, has a yellow silk lining. It is available in two lengths: to your fingertips or to your ankles.

Girls

The girl’s costume comprises a bodice, skirt and blouse, all made of cotton, a pewter brooch and an apron with hand-woven ribbons. The complete costume is hand-embroidered with marguerites on the apron and the bodice.

Men

The Swedish National Costume for men comprises:

• A cotton waistcoat with hand embroided flowers
• Yellow pants made of moleskin
• A white cotton shirt + blue silk ribbon
• White stockings
• Hand woven knee-ribbons
• Hat with hand woven ribbon

Alternatively, ordinary black pants can be worn instead of moleskin pants. In this case only the waistcoat, shirt and if desired, the hat, is then required.

Boys

The complete costume comprises a blue waistcoat, yellow pants made of moleskin and a white cotton shirt. The waistcoat is hand-embroidered with marguerites. The costume looks the same as the costume for men.

The Shop

We have a limited range of costume accessories for sale in our shop. We have accessories for costumes from the Scanian jurisdictional districts as well as for the Swedish National Costume.

For more information on our selection or prices, don't hesitate to contact us on +46-40-43 93 71 or visit the shop.

Welcome!