In 1778 the king Gustav III decreed that a new national dress was to be worn by nobility and burghers. He reasoned that the importation of foreign fashion was both damaging the Swedish economy and cultural heritage, he had had previously tried to place heavy tariffs on the importation of luxury fashion to no avail and so decided it would be more effective to lead by example. From one of the kings letters from 1778.
“We have therefore considered the only means to separate the nation for ever from foreign splendour and grandeur, was to adopt a national costume, entirely distinct from foreign, as suitable to the climate, as through a decent regard to our fortune, and the rise of the factories which exist or can be established in Sweden; But though we have found this, yet we have not thought ourselves competent to compel our subjects by any law or ordinance to a change which might be convenient to them. We have thought that our example, and the conviction of the benefit to every one who is to follow from this step, were sufficiently strong incentives to bring about this healthy constitution. We do therefore on the 28th day of April next, ourselves with our dear brethren, the Council of the Realm, and the noblest of our Court, adopt and always henceforth wear this garment, which also gives such to our Army”
Sadly the national dress only survived roughly four decades and was quite swiftly abolished when Gustav III son Gustav IV Adolf was dethroned in a coup, and now high fashion in Sweden is once again just imported foreign stuff.
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In 1778 the king Gustav III decreed that a new national dress was to be worn by nobility and burghers. He reasoned that the importation of foreign fashion was both damaging the Swedish economy and cultural heritage, he had had previously tried to place heavy tariffs on the importation of luxury fashion to no avail and so decided it would be more effective to lead by example. From one of the kings letters from 1778.
“We have therefore considered the only means to separate the nation for ever from foreign splendour and grandeur, was to adopt a national costume, entirely distinct from foreign, as suitable to the climate, as through a decent regard to our fortune, and the rise of the factories which exist or can be established in Sweden; But though we have found this, yet we have not thought ourselves competent to compel our subjects by any law or ordinance to a change which might be convenient to them. We have thought that our example, and the conviction of the benefit to every one who is to follow from this step, were sufficiently strong incentives to bring about this healthy constitution. We do therefore on the 28th day of April next, ourselves with our dear brethren, the Council of the Realm, and the noblest of our Court, adopt and always henceforth wear this garment, which also gives such to our Army”
Sadly the national dress only survived roughly four decades and was quite swiftly abolished when Gustav III son Gustav IV Adolf was dethroned in a coup, and now high fashion in Sweden is once again just imported foreign stuff.
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Super beautiful.
Bow should have been bigger