Røsnæs Parish, Zealand
Few places in Denmark have stuck to their regional costume and customs as have Røsnæs, Amager and Fanø. As late as the early 1920s, many Røsnæs wives were still wearing their regional costume. Like the women of Amager, they wore different costumes for different occasions or seasons:
a. Everyday use: there were two different daily costumes, one of which was a black dress for church, baptisms and funerals.
b. Easter/Spring: green was worn.
c. Whitsun (Pentecost)/Summer: red was worn.
d. Christmas Day/Winter: blue was worn.
e. Harvest/City: There was also a black costume used for harvest work and also for going into town (stadsdragt) in the summer (Amager also has a stadsdragt).
Astoundingly, the Røsnæs bonnet lasted in regular use into the 1970s.
Back in the day, it was a considerable expense for a woman from outside Røsnæs Parish to marry someone who lived there, as new clothing would have to be acquired.
The hallmark of its costume is the three green stripes on the skirt.
Oddly, this is one of the most rarely seen Danish folk costumes. Thus, I have only one photo taken since 1972.
Image Credit: Ballerup Folkedanserforening
Røsnæs Parish Costume
from "Danske Folke Dragter" by Nanna Gandil, 1972
Elements of the costume:
a. Bonnet: covered part of the forehead and cheeks. The hair was not seen. To prevent the hair from peeking out (which was considered indecent), an iron band was was tied around the head at the hairline.
b. Bodice: high-necked, with a square neckline, edged with green silk ribbon, and open across the chest.
c. Breastcloth: The opening was covered by a breast cloth, attached by pins.
d. Nattrøje: Dark green knitted sleeves with a decorative armband were attached to the bodice.
e. Skirt: made of hvergarn (wool + linen), could be green or red and had sharp pleats with three rows of green silk ribbons at its bottom. In this author's opinion, the three green stripes are the most distinctive element of this regional costume as it is seen nowhere else.
Røsnæs Parish Costume 1810-1820
from "Folkedragter i Danmark" by Ellen Andersen, 1952
The woman above is wearing a "red traveling costume," consisting of red-patterned bodice, red skirt, black sweater (nattrøje), brown apron, green scarf, and maroon hat with multicolored ribbons.
The man above is wearing a striped jacket and vest, as well as a red hat.
Røsnæs Church Costume 1850-1860
from "Folkedragter i Danmark" by Ellen Andersen, 1952
Every peasant girl who could afford it bought a full black dress for her wedding, which she then used on particularly solemn occasions, such as church, baptisms and funerals. The woman above is wearing a black cap with black ribbons, and on top of that she wears a large white headdress with the owner's initials in black silk. The apron is of a white, checkered pattern. She wears woolen knited gloves. The white handkerchief was to remain neatly folded around the hymnal, and was not to be used to blow one's nose.
A very fine example of the men's Røsnæs costume
This men's Røsnæs jacket is unusual because the silver buttons curve under the pocket flaps, which is typically only seen in the Randers costume.
Image Credit: Mikael Bjerregaard
