Popularity of Empire Period Fashion

According to Ellen Andersen's 1952 book "Folkedragter in Danmark," Empire Period fashions (i.e., very high waist) endured longer on Tåsinge Island than elsewhere in Denmark.

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Elements of the Tåsinge Women's Costume​

Headgear

The most notable element of the Tåsinge folk costume was the unusual headgear. Two strongly stiffened large pieces of linen had a piece of red or pink paper placed between them for further stiffening. On top of this linen sits a small, finely embroidered hat (called a "hætte").

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Hatbands

Unmarried girls typically wore green hatbands, though they could also wear blue. Married women always wore black.

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Scarf

The scarf is of checkered silk.

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Bodice

The bodice is made of dark blue wadmal wool.

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Sweater

The sweater (called a "nattrøje") was red.

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Skirt

The skirt was typically red-black, but could also be yellow!

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Those familiar with Danish folk costumes will be aware that the color yellow is almost never seen, except for Læsø aprons and occasional Sønderjylland jackets. However, Andersen's seminal text reports that yellow skirts were quite common on Tåsinge! We know this because probate records recorded the items of clothing that were passed on at death to a decedent's heirs.

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Apron

The apron was made of red-and-white checkered linen. Notably, the apron wraps more than 3/4 of the way around the waist.​

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Elements of the Tåsinge Men's Costume

According to Karen B. Hansen of Folkedragt.dk, it does not appear that there was a regional men's costume for Tåsinge. A man's costume found on Tåsinge can be seen below, but there is nothing particularly distinctive about it that sets it apart from other regions within Denmark. Such is frequently the case with men's folk costumes.​