Bunad is the name of the Norwegian national costume. It’s typically of rural origin and comes in numerous different colors and shapes, depending on where about in the country it originates.

Common for them all are the hand-made material, embroideries, shawls, and the jewelry in silver or gold.

The bunad is popular for both men and women, although the female version tends to be more diverse and easier to identify from its respective region.

There are still ongoing discussions on the difference between real bunad and a folk-costume, and because of this it is impossible to estimate the exact number of individual bunads.

If you’re thinking this could be a great souvenir to bring home, you might want to start saving. It’s an expensive peace of clothing that is sown to fit the individual buyer. For Norwegians, the bunad is usually a gift you receive for your confirmation around the age of fifteen, and it’s made to last throughout life.

It is common to wear the bunad at various celebrations, especially on the 17th of May, which is the constitution day.