Clothing always tells us something about the person who wears it. People choose their clothes to indicate the group they belong to or want to belong to in the community. But within that group, they also like to demonstrate their individuality: they do not want to look all alike. Regional costumes show where somebody comes from, but it also gives us some indications about the status, circumstances in life etc, of the person who wears it.

The Collection of Regional Costumes is grouped into a number of themes and subthemes. This is of help when viewing the collection and supplies the viewer with background information. See the themes listed below to learn what regional costumes can tell you about their wearers or to read what other people thought about them.

Informative clothing
People living in the same region or place wore more or less the same clothing. Nevertheless, there were many variations in these costumes, reflecting the wearer’s personal circumstances. Read more about this theme >>

Varying one’s costume
Regional costumes combine varying pieces of clothing. The wearer’s occupation and the occasion determine what to wear. Read more about this theme >>

Clothing kept women busy
In the last fifty years, clothes have become more and more of a throw-away item. In the past, however, they were a precious possession to which women devoted considerable time and which they handled with care in order to make them last. Read more about this theme >>

Regional costumes: inspiration and icon
People judge regional costumes in different ways, either positively or negatively. Read more about this theme >>
 

The 1898 Collection
On the occasion of Queen Willhelmina’s inauguration in 1898, an exhibition was organized in her honor. Regional costumes from throughout the country were gathered for that purpose. Read more about this theme >>