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What is this?

(61 Posts)
ExDancer Sat 14-Jan-23 20:23:52

This little outfit was my mother's, she used to let me dress up in it as a child. Mum died in 2008 aged 100 and I am in my 80s, so its very old. Now its in the back of my wardrobe and I don't know what to do with it.
It must be well over 100 years old.
My grandchildren weren't interested when they were small.
Can anyone tell me where it came from (I'm thinking Switzerland)?
Should I sell it? Who would want it?
It seems too elaborate just to throw in the bin, the beading on it is very striking and it seems to have been hand made.

Shinamae Sat 14-Jan-23 20:26:50

I would say it’s some sort of national costume..

lixy Sat 14-Jan-23 20:29:41

Do you have a museum locally? They might be able to give good advice.

Grannmarie Sat 14-Jan-23 20:30:10

Maybe Austrian, from the Tyrol ?

ixion Sat 14-Jan-23 20:32:34

A costume museum?
An amateur dramatics society? (There's very nice Gransnetter on here who is involved and who is extremely helpful and appreciative😉).
A local Dancing School?

Fleur20 Sat 14-Jan-23 20:32:54

Looks like a dirndl outfit ... worn traditionally in Germany..

Grannybags Sat 14-Jan-23 21:01:21

I agree it looks like a dirndl. German, but I'm wondering if they wore them in Austria as well?

Callistemon21 Sat 14-Jan-23 21:07:02

It's lovely and looks in excellent condition. I would ask a museum.

Don't throw it in the bin!!

I had a lovely Swiss girl (Heidi?) dressing up outfit, embroidered with a waistcoat, blouse and skirt, when I was a little girl. I loved it, apart from the straw plaits which stuck into my ears. Unfortunately, my mother was a great declutterer, goodness knows where it went.

M0nica Sat 14-Jan-23 21:10:40

You could sell it at auction. Its age and provenance should command a good price.

MiniMoon Sat 14-Jan-23 21:18:19

It looks Austrian. The flowers look like eidleweiss.

Katek Sat 14-Jan-23 21:29:27

I think it could possibly be Norwegian, particularly with the striped skirt.

Joseanne Sat 14-Jan-23 21:40:15

I'd say possibly Austrian.
I agree a local dance school might like it especially if they do BTDA competitions.
It's lovely.

MawtheMerrier Sat 14-Jan-23 22:08:27

My immediate thought was Austrian too - from Tirol
The Edelweiss on the apron certainly suggest that and although the style is very like a German Dirndl, and I know that every region or “Land” has its own variation, I also think the hat suggests Tyrolean.

grannyactivist Sat 14-Jan-23 22:56:34

Looking at the age of your mum is it possible that this was a gift to her at the end of the Great War? If so then Germany or Austria seem likely places of origin. There was also a trade agreement between the UK and Norway at that time and the Norwegian National Dress (Bunad) having been reintroduced in 1913 would have been a lovely gift for a sailor to take home.

Please pass it on to a local museum who may be able to discover a little more about its origins. Such a precious outfit.

BlueBelle Sat 14-Jan-23 22:57:27

My thought was Austria too and that the flower was an Edelweiss

Farmor15 Sat 14-Jan-23 23:08:45

I think it's Finnish. I used to collect costume dolls and had one from Finland. If you Google Finnish national costume you can see examples. But what to do with it, I don't know. Maybe a dance school or children's theatre group?

welbeck Sat 14-Jan-23 23:09:59

why would you throw it in the bin ??
rather than give it to a charity shop at least.
there is an oxfam shop in london, ? drury lane, that specialises in vintage clothes.

Nana3 Sat 14-Jan-23 23:13:12

Polish perhaps.

welbeck Sat 14-Jan-23 23:14:28

have you tried googling the picture ?

silverlining48 Sun 15-Jan-23 00:34:56

It’s lovely, I thought German dirndl but could be Austrian or Swiss. Certainly European. Please don’t throw it away, it’s an heirloom!

Esmay Sun 15-Jan-23 05:09:16

Don't bin it !

Sell or donate it .

Antique adult versions make surprising amounts of money .

I'm almost certain that it's Norwegian because of the shape of the bodice and the border. It's also the right colour .

grannyactivist also thought that it might Norwegian .

Aveline Sun 15-Jan-23 06:08:35

It looks like Norwegian national dress to me.

Ashcombe Sun 15-Jan-23 07:08:41

I agree with ixion that a local dance school, amdram society or museum are all good suggestions.

Grammaretto Sun 15-Jan-23 08:42:25

I just googled images of national dress and what is striking are the similarities.
It could be Romanian.
All useful for a dance group or suchlike.

As others have said don't throw it out . Post the lovely photo onto a local site, Gumtree perhaps, with a respectable price and see if you get some interest.

Allsorts Sun 15-Jan-23 08:52:15

There’s a story to that outfit I would have to explore. Have you done your family tree? That’s a start, it must have meant a lot to your mother to have kept it.