Vendsyssel Region, Jylland
The entire island shown above is referred to as Nørrejyske Ø. However, that name is rarely used. Instead, people typically refer to its three parts:
a. Thy (western end)
b. Hanherred (middle isthmus)
c. Vendsyssel (eastern section to the East of the town of Brovst, represented by the yellow area shown below)
Overview
Little has been written about the Vendsyssel costumes. However, it seems that there is a women's costume and perhaps also a men's costume.
Women's Vendsyssel
​Elements of Women's Vendsyssel:
a. Headgear: There are three variants, all of which seem to have been worn both in Vendsyssel and Thy (and probably in Hanherred). They were expensive - a typical Jutland Cap cost 60 rigsdaler, which was a lot more than the 15 rigsdaler that a typical maid earned in an entire year.
i. Beard Hat (skæghatten) - used in the late 1700s. Its bristling pipes ("strittende piber") stuck out to the sides, looking like a beard. The hat itself was made of brocade fabric (typically silk) edged with lace made from silver-gilt threads. The so-called pipes were themselves made of fine lace (sometimes sewn onto a strip of fine linen). The pipe shape was made using heavy starch and cylindrical pleats. The pipes were then attached to the silver-gilt lace on the brocade. The pipes ran from the temples back to the nape of the neck. The whole contraption was extremely sensitive to even slight moisture (not uncommon in Denmark), which would cause it to flop. Thus, ladies carried their hats to parties inside a hat box. Drawings of the remarkable Beard Hat can be seen here.
ii. Older Jutland Cap - used circa 1810. Made of bobbinet tulle instead of brocade. The former "pipes" have now become "small wings" that protrude from the sides of the hat. "A large knot was put on the back of the head, so that these wings could be supported by the hair. Gradually, these wings grew so that they formed a crescent-shaped fan, which was called the Cap strip, seen here.
iii. Younger Jutland Cap - No tassel at rear of headgear. There was a large lace fringe, limited at the back by the crown and at the side by the Cap strip. In front, it extended over the hair." ["Danske Folkedragter" by Charles Rasmussen, 1942, pp.69-70].
b. Bodice: See distinctive pattern, below, which is a hallmark of the costume. Per Rasmussen, 1942, p.70: "the dress...was laced together in front" with a silver chain.
c. Sweater (nattrøje): red
d. Armbands: These appear to be one of the hallmarks of this unusual costume. Silk ribbons attached just above the elbow. See below.​
In 1979, the predecessor organization to the Danish Folk Costume Society put on an exhibition, displaying the finest example of the Vendsyssel costume. This headgear looks quite similar to that of Thy.
Image credit: Folkedragt.dk
Image credit: Tårs og Omegns Folkedanserforening
Image credit: Tårs og Omegns Folkedanserforening
"Girl Guard" Uniform for 1954 Hjørring Festival. Obviously not an authentic folk costume, but it shows how much Vendsyssel loves their distinctive fabric pattern.
Image credit: Vendsyssel Historical Museum
Other Women's Variants
Vendsyssel Costume Variant, 1790
The jacket and skirt are made of woven mix of wool and linen ("hvergarn"). The jacket has a vertical seam on the back. The skirt has a so-called "Viennese pleat" in the rear. Silk scarf. The apron is printed cotton and was of a type used all over Denmark in the late 1700s. Headgear consists of a linen cap and a "beard hat." The garment shown above is held in the collection of the Vendsyssel Historical Museum in Hjørring.
Image credit: Licensed from Folkedragt.dk
Vendsyssel women's skirt fabric closeup
You may occasionally find this fabric for sale at:
http://danskfolkedragtforum.dk/webshop/ws-/--øvrige-metervare
Image credit: Folkedragt.dk
The famed Vendsyssel (and Thy) "Beard Hat, used in the late 1700s. Note the unusual use of a lacing on the front of the dress. Lacing was uncommon in Denmark, seen on Lolland and Amager and Læsø.
Image credit: "Danske Folkedragter" by Charles Rasmussen, 1942, p.75
The Vendsyssel/Thy "Beard Hat" strikes again!
Image Credit: Mikael Bjerregaard
Men's Vendsyssel
Elements of Men's Vendsyssel:
a. Vest: Green with horizontal stripes
Other Men's Variants
Vendsyssel man, circa 1780
According to Folkedragt.dk, this vest pattern was not unique to Vendsyssel.
Much of the costume shown comes from the Vendsyssel Historical Museum in Hjørring.
Vest: Double-breasted, slit pockets, stand-up collar. Made of hvergarn (linen + wool). Similar pattern to Ærø.
Breeches: Dark blue wadmal wool (above), but could also be leather or velvet (blue, brown, or green).
Hat: Red or Nikolør.
Outerwear: If one were worn, a jacket matching the vest or in dark blue (see Tåsinge) with a wide-brim hat.
Image credit: Licensed from Folkedragt.dk
Vendsyssel vest
This must've been the ultimate in flash and bling when it was worn in the 1800s! It even has embroidery, no less! Rather Leksands-esque (a costume from Dalarna, Sweden).
Image Credit: Vendsyssel Historical Museum
