“BUNAD” FOR BOYS

It is difficult to find material on how boys should be dressed.  Last century photographs shows that they are dressed very similar to the grown ups, only not quite so formal.  Their clothes are usually made from left over cloth or re-made from old grown up clothes.   These were handed down from brother to brother and from one generation to the next.  Only the rich people could afford to make clothes for children from new cloth.  When it was made from new cloth, it was very similar to how the father was dressed.  Today there are three different suits to chose from, same style as the grown ups.  These are the bridegroom “bunad”, the black “bunad” with a short jacket and “helgjikledu”.  The bridegroom “bunad” is most often used and has been in use for the longest.   It’s not quite as ornate as the grown up’s and can be used from the age 3-4 up to about 11-12.  These are also handed down from generation to generation.

Black “bunad” with a short jacket was not in use up until 1900 when it started to come back in fashion.  It is not quite as formal as the grown up’s but with the same accessories.  For buttons they sometimes used pewter instead of silver, to make it less expensive.  This “bunad” can be worn from 4 years upward.  This style is also often used for a religious celebration called “confirmation”.

The latest style from 1991 “Helgjikledu” is getting very popular.  It is hardwearing and easy to use.  It can be used for birthdays and for all occasions where you want to dress up a bit special.  It comes with long or knee length trousers.  This is a more inexpensive style, but it has to be remembered that this is not a “bunad”, but a “stakk” for boys and men.