Falster Island
"South Falster" is marked in red, above. Everything else on Falster Island is "North Falster."
North Falster's stunner of a costume is rarely mistaken for one from any other Danish region due to its distinctive headgear, silk ribbon armbands, and dark hue of the fabrics. This special costume was used until the 1870s. Overall, dark green or black are the dominant colors. The colored yarn used in weaving Falster fabrics was procured from spinning mills in Hamburg. Thus, it was called Hamborghvergarn.
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So-called "North Falster" and "South Falster" have different costumes. It is speculated that part of the reason is that Dutch people lived on the southern tip of Falster, in and around the town of Gedesby. Thirteen Dutch had relocated to there from the Danish island of Sprogø in 1522. Much like on Amager, the different language and culture of the Dutch kept them somewhat apart from the rest of Falster, causing two Falster costumes to develop.
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The South Falster costume was more old-fashioned, while that of North Falster incorporated more urban fashion. The North Falster costume remained in use until the 1870s, considerably longer than that of South Falster. Note that geographically, "North Falster" consists of Idestrup parish (sogn) and everything north of it. Thus, "South Falster" consists only of Væggerløse parish (sogn) and Skelby-Gedesby parish.
North Falster Island
North Falster Festdragt (Party Costume)
from "Danske Folke Dragter" by Nanna Gandil, 1972
This special costume was used until the 1870s. Overall, according to Nanna Gandil, dark green is the dominant color. However, many of the costumes pictured on this page appear to have black sweaters and bodices, instead of green.
The North Falster costume has several particular elements:
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a. the skirt is of dark green worsted yarn with purple, red, blue and green stripes. Two rows of patterned greenish silk ribbons, 7cm wide, adorn the bottom of the skirt. To save money, there were no ribbons under the apron, as they were quite expensive. Both silk ribbons and lace were typically bought from itinerant peddlers.
b. the apron could be made of silk with stripes along the length. There was a pocket on the front under the apron. Silk ribbon trim sat at the bottom.
c. the knitted sweater (nattrøje) was made of dark green woolen yarn. In Falster, this garment was called a slouch sweater (lænketrøjen) because it had a rather distinctive, low cut.
d. the bodice is made of black cloth and is decorated with silk ribbon at the edge and armholes.
e. there are wide silk bands with pleats across the chest and as armbands around the sleeves.
f. there was a removable sleeve (mameluk) which was taken off for dishwashing or domestic chores.
g. the headgear was made of stiffened linen with a wide band of lace extended quite far forward from the face. In that respect, it was like the headgear of Høng and Møn Island. Some referred to it as the kiss-me-if-you-can hat as the lace got in the way. Reportedly, it was quite difficult to attach and hard to dance in. At the rear sat a small, triangular silk hat.
h. a checkered silk scarf around the neck.
North Falster Island costume (circa 1860-1870)
from "Folkedragter i Danmark" by Ellen Andersen, 1952
Image licensed from Folkedragt.dk
Image licensed from Folkedragt.dk
Image Credit: Arkiv.dk
Painting of North Falster woman, 1823
Image Credit: Arkiv.dk
Married woman from North Falster
from "Danske Nationaldragter," 3rd Ed. (1915)
by F.C. Lund with illustrations by Luplau Janssen
Image Credit: Mikael Bjerregaard
North Falster Island costume (mid 1800s)
from "The Folk Dress of Europe" by James Snowden, 1979
South Falster Island
Gedesby, South Falster
The distinctive elements of the old-fashioned South Falster costume are:
a. hat: the shape of the hat is the oldest style known in Denmark. It was sewn from two pieces of black velvet with a black lace across the front. Typically, it was tied at the neck with a black silk ribbon (see image below). Underneath it was a cap of white canvas.
b. nattrøje: dark green
c. bodice: Red wadmel bodice.
d. breastcloth: The opening in the front of the bodice is reminiscent of Røsnæs Parish, as it displayed a variegated silk breastcloth.
e. scarf: white canvas scarf has a hem edge and an embroidered bouquet at the back in a stitching that can only be found on Falster Island.
f. blouse: On festive occasions, a red cotton blouse was worn over the nattrøje and bodice.
South Falster Costume 1830-1840
from "Folkedragter i Danmark" by Ellen Andersen, 1952
