Costume gallery
Below you can see examples of different types of Sønderho costumes:
Everyday costume – Sunday afternoon costume – Festivity costume – Widow costume – Half-Mourning costume – Harvest costume – Young girl costume – Child costume – Confirmation costume – Communion costume – Wedding and bridesmaid costumes
EVERYDAY COSTUME
Traditionally, it was customary for younger women to wear floral-patterned everyday costumes, while the costumes of older women were darker and possibly had only a small pattern.
The everyday costume consists of a cotton dress with red ribbon trimmings, metal buttons, and cotton cloths. A more refined version of the everyday costume features amber buttons and silk scarves.
SUNDAY COSTUME
A blue velvet bodies (“nattrøje”) with amber buttons and finely embroidered floral ribbons in golden and green colours. An apron made of blue silk taffeta, blue and golden silk scarves.
FESTIVITY COSTUME
The exquisite festivity costumes are often crafted from silk or fine wool, and the bodice features intricately embroidered floral bands on the front and cuffs, along with silver buttons.
At times, the bodice may also be made of velour and adorned with beautiful amber buttons. Around the waist, a velvet belt with a filigree or Art Nouveau silver buckle is worn. On special occasions, the belt can be replaced with a velvet ribbon featuring silver tips at the ends, similar to what is seen on bridal attire. A fine silk/cotton scarf is tied around the head and neck, which can either match or contrast with the outfit.
The splendid fabrics and silver buttons were brought to Sønderho by sailors who acquired them from various corners of the world. The same applies to the scarves, resulting in significant variations in their appearance. The original scarves have become delicate over time and are no longer usable. Hence, it was delightful that Jørgen Engel, during his work in Bangladesh, collaborated with a Danish woman who owns a silk weaving workshop to recreate the traditional "cloths." Today, they can be purchased at Lorenzens Shop.
The men would don their finest attire, and the affluent captains and ship owners had the option to have their elegant captain's costumes tailored by a skilled tailor, perhaps in Hong Kong. In the image below, he is wearing brown velvet trousers, white woolen stockings with tassels, and shoes with silver buckles. Additionally, he adorns a yellow silk waistcoat, a long woolen jacket with silver buttons, and a tall hat on his head.
WIDOW'S COSTUME
The widow's costume is black with black buttons and embossed black velvet ribbons.
Around the neck and head, widow's cloths are worn - dark blue cotton scarves. If a widow did not remarry, she was expected to wear the costume for the rest of her life.
The widow could also wear blue silk cloths with the costume, for example, if she were attending a festive occasion.
HALF-MOURNING COSTUME
The half-mourning costume is characterized by muted colours, typically in shades of gray, mauve, or lavender. It is worn during the intermediate stage of mourning, when the bereaved individual is gradually transitioning out of deep mourning.
The costume may include dresses or suits in subdued tones, often with subtle patterns or trims. The use of black is reduced, and other colours are gradually introduced. Accessories such as ribbons, veils, or brooches may feature softer shades of gray or lavender.
The duration of the half-mourning period can vary depending on cultural and personal preferences, but it typically lasts for several months to a year. It serves as a symbolic representation of the grieving process and the gradual return to normalcy and social activities.
HARVEST COSTUME
The women on Fanø had to manage all the practical tasks themselves when their husbands were out at sea. Therefore, they had a special work costume for harvesting and worm digging. The costume consists of an old bodice ("nattrøje") and red cloths, a red coarse wool skirt, and an apron.
When the harvest was nearing its end, they would put on a white cotton apron to celebrate the occasion. They would tie a woven kilting ribbon around the skirt and apron, allowing the skirt to be pulled up. To protect their faces from the sun and wind, they would tie a face mask (“strude”) around their faces, which was a black face mask with only the eyes visible. This way, they could protect their skin to keep it fair and wrinkle-free. It was mostly the young women who wore the face mask.