Finland (Finnish name: Suomi) is situated in northern Europe. It has a population of 5.2 million and a surface area of 338,000 square kilometres, making it the sixth largest country in Europe. The capital city is Helsinki and Helsinki metropolitan area has 956,800 residents.

After centuries under Swedish and Russian rule, Finland became independent in 1917 and joined the European Union in 1995. The country is an advanced industrial economy: the metal, engineering and electronics industries account for 50% of export revenues, and the forest products industry for another 30%. Finland has one of the highest rates of Internet use in the world, and boasts more mobile than fixed network telephone subscriptions.

DID YOU KNOW THAT FINLAND...
... has the least corruption in the world?
... is the top country in growth potential and competitiveness?
... top the World Economic Forum's Environmental Sustainability Index?
... is the favourite European country of Observer's travel comparison?
... has the cleanest water in the world?
... leads in the use of IT?

Finnish National Costume

Finnish folk dress is divided into two broad groups: western and Karelian. The two differ noticeably in appearance, though the basic articles of dress constituting the costumes are largely the same. Regional variation is more clearly discernible in women’s apparel, while men’s attire tends to reflect prevailing dress trends. Only in Karelian costumes is this regional variation so subtle as to draw a distinction between different parishes.

The traditional man’s costume consists of a shirt, long trousers or knee breeches, waistcoat, jacket or coat, hat or cap, neckscarf, socks and shoes. The woman’s costume consists of a smock, skirt, bodice or kirtle, apron, jacket, headdress, shoes and socks. Typical accessories include jewellery, belts, kerchiefs and loose pockets.

West Finnish costume - Mouhijärvi costume.

A west Finnish fraternity from Helsinki University made an expedition to the parish of Tyrvää in Satakunta 1879. The fraternity aquired the Mouhijärvi costume for the collection of the National Museum of Finland. Mouhijärvi costume is a typical western Finnish costume, featuring a high collared smock, striped skirt, vertically striped apron and shortbacked bodice with thin shoulder straps, and white socks and black shoes. The costume is worn with a "tykkimyssy" cap and a black jacket of woollen fabric with a patterned weave.

Karelian costume - Woman's costume, Muolaa

arelian costumes are lavishly decorated. Seen here in the winter version of the Muolaa costume, with smock, apron and coarse wool coat embroidered with woollen thread. The small, shaped veil is a standard accessory.

Headresses

1. The starched lace-trimmed strip of cloth along the front edge of a tykkimyssy cap is worn flat on the head. A shaped silk cap is wom over it. Tykkimyssy caps are worn by married women. This cap goes with the Askola costume.
2. Girls wear silk ribbons or a wreath-like headband. Pictured is the Karelian säppäli, with metal studs sewn onto the broadcloth ribbon. Uusikirkko costume.
3. Men wear a peaked cap, a brimmed felt hat, a kairalakki cap or a knitted woollen cap. Vanha Korpilahti costume.
4. A variety of white tanu caps are worn with western Finnish costumes. Suomenniemi costume.

Where and when national costume is worn

Carrying on the folk tradition, national costume is principally worn as festive attire. It is suitable for any special occasion, and can be worn as wedding attire, at graduation balls, or as stage costume by folk musicians, folk dancing groups and choirs.

It should be borne in mind that every national costume forms an ensemble in its own right, complete with all the standard accessories, including headgear, socks, shoes and jewellery. National costumes preserve a valuable part of our folk heritage. They also add a distinctly Finnish element to our modern dress culture.