Oystien & I

[English Bloke]

Those are both smashin' pictures David.

[mudd]

I work with a fellow named Oystien. He immigrated from Norway. He's a tall blond fellow (who'd have thought?).

The "O" is pronounced as an "A" and cannot be represented correctly using the English alphabet. On his e-mails at work, the "O" is shown with a diagonal line through it, as it would be in Norwegian, I believe.

I also work with another immigrant from either Norway or Sweden, named Thorsten. He sometimes calls himself "The mighty Thor". (Another tall blond fellow.)

[ghostlight]

Two finely dressed gentlemen. Thank you for sharing.

[Heming]

Great picture. Just to educate the rabble on Norwegian national dress: there are about 100 different varieties, of which maybe 30 are seen as official. They can be very different from eachother! And the silver buckled slippers are widely available over here, but only ever worn with a "bunad". Which btw is considered equivalent to white tie.

Hijack over. Sorry.

[David Dubh]

Great picture. Just to educate the rabble on Norwegian national dress: there are about 100 different varieties, of which maybe 30 are seen as official. They can be very different from eachother! And the silver buckled slippers are widely available over here, but only ever worn with a "bunad". Which btw is considered equivalent to white tie.

Hijack over. Sorry.

I like the shoes and think that they would make a good substitution for Glenfinnan brogues. If they are readilly available for a reasonable price well
what are they called

[Heming]

I like the shoes and think that they would make a good substitution for Glenfinnan brogues. If they are readilly available for a reasonable price well
what are they called

They are called "bunadsko" (literally "national costume shoes") and will cost from NOK 300 to 1500 (US$ 45-250) depending on style, hand or machine made, what metal and design the buckle is etc. Replacement buckles are also easy to find, so you can buy a cheap shoe and fit it with a fancy silver buckle. I think they're only available in Norway, but some online shops might have them. Here are a few links (in Norwegian, sorry, but enjoy the pictures):

http://www.bunadstradisjoner.net/Bunadsko.html (men's shoes on the right)

http://www.dalesko.no/ (also make reindeer skin boots)

http://www.paperator.com/user/kernde...he=565&align=m (bunad shoes at the back of the catalogue)

I think the main difference between these and cullodens/glenfinnans is that a bunad shoe will always have a rounded toe, and cullodens/glenfinnans usually have a square toe. But according to Scotweb, at least culloden shoes could have either square or rounded toe.

[Oddern]

Very sharp, David.
The Bunad is becomming more and more popular here in Norway. Maybe the kilt will be more usual here to.... I whish.

[Rex_Tremende]

Great to see two distinguished looking, well dressed gentlemen side by side.

Just to educate the rabble on Norwegian national dress: there are about 100 different varieties, of which maybe 30 are seen as official. They can be very different from eachother! And the silver buckled slippers are widely available over here, but only ever worn with a "bunad". Which btw is considered equivalent to white tie.

Very sharp, David.
The Bunad is becomming more and more popular here in Norway. Maybe the kilt will be more usual here to.... I whish.

I was curious, and hope it's not too much of a hijack, to ask whether national dress is ever seen as merely an historical costume, or if, like the kilt, one or more of them is finding its way into more popular and acceptable styles of dress.

Discuss?

Regards,
Rex.

[Freelander Sporrano]

Great to see two distinguished looking, well dressed gentlemen side by side.





I was curious, and hope it's not too much of a hijack, to ask whether national dress is ever seen as merely an historical costume, or if, like the kilt, one or more of them is finding its way into more popular and acceptable styles of dress.

Discuss?

Regards,
Rex.

I think ,and this is only my opinion that Norwegians are a feariosly proud nation . The Bunad (National dress) is a strong part of that pride of identity.
My wife says that the Bunad is also a very practical garment. You have always somthing that looks great and is never out of fashion where ever you have to go. Be it church for whatever purpose or some other formal function.
So to a norwegian the Bunad is not simply a costume it is a priece of the National identity. Rather like the kilt is to Scotland.

This may be over simplified and is only my view. I do however think that the kilt and the Bunad especially my wifes Buskerud Bunad compliment the kilt



Case closed

[Heming]

I was curious, and hope it's not too much of a hijack, to ask whether national dress is ever seen as merely an historical costume, or if, like the kilt, one or more of them is finding its way into more popular and acceptable styles of dress.

It's not at all a fancy dress costume or a "historic reenactment" costume. Keep in mind that we call even Renaissance recent history in Europe. Historic reenactment in Norway is usually from the Viking era (pre 1100 AD).

The Bunad is, as I've said, equivalent to white tie, but is also used for daytime events. Almost every adult has one, and they are worn proudly at Christmas, opera openings, Constitution Day (17. may), weddings, confirmation ceremonies, any event where a member of the Royal Family is present ... I could go on.

So compared to Scottish Highland dress, I'd assume the bunad is used much more often by many more people. (I only lived in Scotland for about a year, so I don't have a lot of experience to lean on).

Now my question: The buckled shoes we use for our bunads are copies of shoes worn by the rich and priviledged circa 1750-1820. Are they an acceptable substitute for buckle brogues? They're not brogued, though. But, as any shoe shop in Norway carries them (yes, even the really cheap ones), it would be very ... practical ... to be able to wear them with a white tie kilt outfit as well.