Dutch dress, that's right

Holland is one of those countries that historically and culturally offers us great traditional and curious aspects about which curiosity is always aroused. The Netherlands does not have a national traditional costume, although it does offer us a mix of different outfits that are in different regions of the Netherlands

The most famous is known as Suit "Turn me on", consisting of a black skirt, a stripped apron, a shawl and a lace hat, along with some Wooden shoes (clogs) they are what most people believe or consider to be the traditional dress of Holland and other countries. 

Components of typical Dutch costumes

Why is the “Volendam” suit so well known? Many people think of costume Volendam when they think of Holland or the Netherlands. This is the costume that is replicated in all kinds of labels under 'Dutch Maid', with the peaked cap and wings. In fact, the suit is only worn in the town of Volendam, and it is not representative or typical of the Netherlands as a whole, however it is very famous.

There are three variants of the suit, so you may have wondered why you see it in different images that they don't look the same. It is not the suit of every day, nor the suit chosen to go to the market on a Sunday, but it is the suit for special occasions, which is the one that is most often seen these days.

There is a type of suit called the 'Bruiloftsgast'or a' wedding guest 'costume. It is what is known as a shirt, which has no sleeves and a skirt. The traditional costume is approximately ankle length. The camisole is not displayed when the suit is completed. On top of the camisole a 'kraplap', also called 'koplap''kralap" or "krolap', a type of double bib, similar to an accessory also found in some German costumes. It fastens at the neck and is fastened at the bottom by ribbons on the front panel with thread through loops attached to the back panel.

The Kraplaps: how it's made

El kraplap found in many dutch costumes, since it is often decorated in a very successful way, since they can be embroidered or with printed fabric with different ornaments. They are made in two pieces, front and back, one shoulder is sewn closed, and the other has a fixation. There is a piece of ribbon or cord around the neck opening. Nowadays, kraplap usually has a flower design satin stitch machine embroidery, usually roses.

Around 1930, a family surnamed Tol developed a form of mechanically spray painting Rose designs on a silk background using a series of stencils; This seems to be the forerunner of the embroidery machine used today to manufacture the kralaps.

When is the turn of the skirt

The skirt is then put on, the white and red striped skirt for the suit known as 'wedding guest', otherwise a long skirt in a solid dark color, most commonly black or navy blue.

Women in Brands, a few kilometers away from Volendam, they wear a very similar striped skirt, but always under la topskirt. On top of this skirt, what is known as 'kletje' is worn, a black wool blouse or jacket at the back, and a wide pair of ear flaps at the front. It features a square cut neckline both front and back, which was enhanced with the fit; the front part closes with hooks.

The shoes of these traditional costumes

clogs, or wooden shoes, are a well-known Dutch tradition, as are tulips and windmills. The oldest wooden shoe ever found was discovered in Amsterdam in 1979 and dates all the way back to 1230 AD The shoes were expensive and worn only by the wealthy to protect their feet and show that they could afford such luxury, hence arose clogs, a wooden shoe that was a cheaper, safer alternative to hand-stitched leather shoes.

The first versions of the wooden shoes featured wood sole and the leather caps, however, finally the entire shoe was made of wood to better protect the feet, as many people who wore them were fishermen, farmers and factory workers since they offer a barrier against dangers such as fishing hooks, nails and other sharp objects. They cannot be used to go to church or inside the house, but they can be used to attend some dances.