Rømø Island

Rømø Womens Costumes

The Rømø costume was one the longest-lasting folk costumes in ordinary, daily use in all of Denmark. Skovshoved and Fanø were the longest (1960s), with Amager probably second-longest (1930s) and Rømø probably third-longest (1920). In 1905, the Rømø costume was still worn by a dozen elderly women, but by 1920 it had completely disappeared on the island.

When attending the 1996 Danish folk dancers convention, former Queen Margrethe II of Denmark chose to wear the lovely costume of Rømø Island.

Rømø Costume
from "Danske Folke Dragter" by Nanna Gandil, 1972

The Rømø costume contains the following elements:

a. Pi: The red skirt and red bodice, both made of wadmal wool, are sewn together. The combined garment is called a "pi."

b. Bodice: The red bodice is edged with narrow green silk ribbons and further adorned with large round silver buttons. Arguably, the asymmetrical positioning of these buttons is the costume's most distinctive element. The use of buttons on bodices was common throughout Denmark in the 1600s and early 1700s. Over times, most Danish folk costumes replaced their buttons with hooks or pins (and occasionally laces), while Rømø kept the old tradition of buttons.

c. Blouse: A flower-printed cotton blouse is worn under the bodice instead of a knitted sweater (nattrøje). For parties, a colored silk shirt was used.

d. Headcloth: A red or green checkered North Frisian-influenced headcloth similar to that worn on the nearby island of Fanø.

e. Apron: A variety of patterns can be worn.