2. About the costumes
Paintings and manuscript illuminations have provided
information about clothing in the 16th and 17th centuries
while information from the 18th century is more extensive,
including pictures and written accounts of the living
conditions in Iceland and the way of life, as well as some
fragments of clothing that have survived from the period.
3. Men‘s costume
The one considered most traditional consists of woolen breeches or trousers, a
usually double buttoned vest and a double buttoned jacket called treyja
(buttoned up sweater). Sometimes a sweater with a single row of buttons is
used in lieu of the vest and treyja. On the head is a tail cap, though historically
different hats were also used. This costume was usually black, navy blue or
dark green, although the vest, which was usually brighter was sometimes red,
some regions stood out, using white wool instead of the darker colors. It is
identical to the clothing Icelandic men commonly wore from the 17th until the
19th century.
4. Upphlutur
Upphlutur is one type of traditional female clothing. It‘s name comes
from the vest that is decorated with silver filigree. The Upphlutur is a
woman's costume, consisting of bodice that can be coloured in bright
colours such as red or blue, but often black. Its headpiece is a tail cap.
The costume is basically the undergarment of the faldbúningur which
evolved into a costume of its own right.
5. Peysuföt
The Peysuföt are black woolen clothes commonly worn by women in
the 18-19th century. They usually consisted of a twill skirt and a jacket
of fine knitted woolen yearn with a black tail cap. It is believed that this
costume was invented when women, desiring simpler working clothes
than the faldbúningur, started to use male articles of clothing. This
includes both the tail-cap and the peysa which originally was a jacket
with a single row of buttons, but evolved into this costume and
eventually discarded with the buttons.
6. Skautbúningur
The Skautbúningur was designed by Sigurður
Guðmundsson. It was conceived as a modernized variation
of the faldbúningur, which had fallen out of use by the
middle of the 19th century. It incorporates a complicated
hat inspired by the ones traditionally used with the
faldbúningur.
7. Farmers market
Farmers Market is an Icelandic design company and clothing brand, founded in 2005 by a young artist
couple - a designer and a musician. With strong ties to the vibrant Icelandic music and design
scene, the Farmers Market design concept and inspiration draws from Icelandic roots, combining
classic Nordic design elements with chic modernity.
Natural fabrics, craftmanship and respect for the environment are key values of the brand.
Authentically styled, yet sophisticated and wearable, the clothing is suited for a wide range of
occasions, outdoor activities as well as city life.
Farmers Market clothing and accessories are sold in selected shops in Europe, Japan and
US, including concept stores, fashion boutiques and at an occasional ski resort.
8. 66°NORTH
66 NORTH Ltd. is one of Iceland’s oldest manufacturing companies.
Established in 1926, it’s been a long-time leading innovator in the creation of
specialized clothing for use in the toughest conditions on land and sea. Over
the past ten years, 66 NORTH has grown extensively and is considered an
expert in the production of outdoor clothing.
9. Popular fashion brands in
Iceland
• Steinunn
• Mundi
• Farmer‘s market
• Guðmundur Jörundsson
• Kormákur og Skjöldur
• Kron Kron
• Freebird
11. Lopi
Lopi is knitting wool made from the fleece of Icelandic sheep. The fleece is made up of
two layers, each with a different kind of wool. The wet-resistant outer coat contains long,
coarse fibers, while the insulating layer beneath consists of soft, short fibers. These are
processed together to create lopi roving and yarn.
Lopi comes from the distinctive Icelandic sheep. Their fleeces have two layers, each with
its own kind of wool. The sheep’s outer coat is water-repellent wool made up of long,
tough fibers (called tog) and the under coat is highly insulating, made up of fine, soft
wool (called thel or þel). The two fibers are blended in lopi yarn, combining the different
qualities of both kinds of wool.
