A bunad is more than clothing. It is heritage you can wear, stitched with local patterns, stories, and pride. If you are planning to buy one for May 17 or a wedding, you are likely wondering what it will actually cost and why the price varies so much. As someone who grew up around bunader and has bought and altered several in the family, I’ll walk you through what to expect and how to budget wisely.
Short answer first: a new, tailor-made women’s bunad typically lands between 40,000 and 120,000 NOK, depending on the model, fabric, embroidery, and silver. Men’s bunader often range from 30,000 to 90,000 NOK. You can save by buying secondhand, inheriting, or building the set piece by piece. For international readers, I usually tell friends that 1 USD is roughly 10 NOK as a quick mental conversion, but exchange rates do shift.
Let’s take a deeper dive into the real costs behind bunader in Norway, how to compare options, and how to make smart choices that respect both your budget and the tradition.
What You Are Paying For: Craft and Materials
A bunad is a handcraft project, not just a garment. The price reflects hours of pattern cutting, sewing, hand embroidery, and sometimes weaving. Some bunader use fine wool with dense, intricate stitching that can take many weeks to complete. Others have simpler decoration or machine-assisted elements that bring the cost down. Materials matter too. High-quality wool, linen shirts, silk scarves, and proper lining add up quickly. If you choose authentic techniques and materials, expect the cost to track that quality.
I have sat with seamstresses who keep a magnifying lamp over their desk to place tiny stitches correctly in traditional motifs. That level of precision is a big part of what you are paying for, and it is also why many workshops have long waiting lists.
Typical Price Ranges Today
Think of the bunad as a kit with several parts. You can buy everything at once, or build the set gradually.
- Women’s bunad dress or skirt and bodice: 25,000 to 70,000 NOK for the tailored textile pieces, depending on model and decoration. Some heavily embroidered variants can exceed this.
- Men’s bunad jacket, vest, breeches or trousers: 20,000 to 60,000 NOK for the tailored set without accessories.
- Shirt: 3,000 to 10,000 NOK. A simple cotton shirt is cheaper. Traditional linen with drawn-thread work is pricier.
- Bunad silver (sølv): 10,000 to 40,000 NOK for a typical set. Large sølje brooches, belts, chains, and buttons can push the total higher.
- Shoes: 1,500 to 3,500 NOK for proper bunad shoes.
- Capes, shawls, stockings, scarves: 1,000 to 20,000 NOK depending on material and brand.
- Tailoring and fitting adjustments: 1,000 to 10,000 NOK over time for resizing or repairs.
Add that up and a complete new women’s bunad with silver often totals 50,000 to 120,000 NOK. A full men’s set with silver typically ends up around 40,000 to 90,000 NOK. If you already have family silver or a shirt, your spend drops noticeably.
New vs Secondhand vs Inheriting
Buying new gives you a perfect fit, full choice of materials, and the warranty and service that come with established bunad shops. That said, secondhand is a strong option.
- Secondhand: You can find bunader at commission stores, reputable bunad retailers with pre-owned racks, and private sales. Prices vary widely, but savings of 20 to 50 percent are common. Inspect embroidery, lining, and seams. Check for moth damage and color fading. Budget for alterations.
- Inheriting: A family bunad is priceless. The cost becomes alterations, cleaning, and missing accessories. In my family we have paid for letting out seams, replacing worn hooks, and adding a new shirt while keeping the original dress.
- Mix-and-match: Some people buy the core dress or suit new and source silver and shirts secondhand. This can shave tens of thousands of kroner off the total.
Regional Differences Can Be Big
Norway has many bunad traditions, and some regions are more expensive due to heavier embroidery, specialty fabrics, or complex silver sets. Variants from areas known for elaborate floral work or raised stitching tend to sit at the top of the price spectrum. Simpler, plainer models are more affordable. If you are choosing between several legitimate options tied to your family or residence, cost can be one deciding factor.
The Role of Bunad Silver
Silver is a major cost driver and easy to overlook. A large sølje brooch alone can be several thousand kroner. Belts with silver plates, cufflinks, buttons, chains, and hair pins add up. The good news is that silver keeps value well and can be purchased gradually. Many families gift pieces over time for birthdays and confirmations. You can also buy a starter set and upgrade later.
A practical tip from my own circle: start with the core pieces you need for wearability on May 17 and weddings. Add the special extras over the years.
Shirts, Shoes, and the “Hidden” Extras
It is tempting to downplay the shirt to save money, but it shows in photos and comfort. A proper linen or well-made cotton shirt sits better under the bodice or vest and breathes during long days. The same goes for shoes. Bunad shoes are shaped to match the outfit and look right with the stockings or breeches. They are not just black dress shoes.
Other quiet costs:
- Underskirts or petticoats to give the skirt shape
- Stockings in the correct color and pattern
- Protective garment bag and moth deterrents
- Professional cleaning for linen or wool after big events
Kids’ Bunads: What Parents Actually Pay
Children grow, so parents are understandably cautious. A children’s bunad commonly runs 5,000 to 20,000 NOK depending on region and whether it is handmade. Many kids’ models are designed with let-out seams to cover a couple of years. Families also share or resell children’s bunader locally. For confirmands at 14 to 15 years, some wait until growth stabilizes before investing in a full adult bunad.
Can You Rent a Bunad?
Yes, but availability is limited, and booking early is essential around spring and summer. Typical rental fees range from 3,000 to 8,000 NOK per day for adults, including base accessories but often excluding silver. Renting is a good test drive if you are unsure which variant to commit to. Make sure fittings are scheduled in advance and ask about damage deposits and cleaning responsibilities.
Lead Times and Why Planning Matters
If you order a new bunad, lead times of 3 to 12 months are normal, and heavy embroidery models can take even longer. Around confirmation season and ahead of May 17, workshops are at capacity. If you need a bunad for a specific event, put a deposit down early. For secondhand purchases, factor in time for alterations, which can easily take a few weeks during peak periods.
How to Budget and Save Without Cutting Corners
A few strategies I have seen work well:
- Piece by piece: Buy the dress or suit first. Borrow or use simpler silver initially, then upgrade.
- Choose a simpler shirt to start, then invest in a hand-worked linen shirt later.
- Look for reputable secondhand silver. Hallmarks and weight matter. Well-known makers maintain value.
- Prioritize fit. A modest model that fits beautifully looks better than an elaborate one that never quite sits right.
- Care beats replacement. Store clean, dry, and protected from moths. Brush wool lightly after wear.
Insurance, Care, and Resale Value
Treat a bunad like you would other valuables. Ask your insurer about listing the bunad and silver on your contents policy with photos and receipts. After events, air the garments, check for stains, and store away from light. Silver darkens over time, so gentle polishing before big occasions keeps it bright. A well-maintained bunad resells much better and can circulate in the family for generations.
Where to Buy and What to Ask
Specialty bunad shops and Husfliden-type stores are the safest route for new orders and skilled alterations. For secondhand, try commission shops, local tailoring studios that handle bunader, and community groups. When you talk to a workshop or seller, ask:
- Which regional variant is this and is it built according to accepted standards
- What materials are used for the outer fabric, lining, and shirt
- Which parts are hand-embroidered versus machine-assisted
- What alteration options you will have in the future
- How to care for the specific materials you are buying
If the shop provides a measurement and fitting plan, book your fittings on the spot so dates do not slip during the busy season.
The Bottom Line
Plan for 50,000 to 120,000 NOK for a full new women’s bunad with silver, and 40,000 to 90,000 NOK for men, with real savings possible through secondhand, inheriting, or building the set over time. Remember that you are paying for craft and cultural continuity as much as for fabric and metal. When a bunad fits well and is cared for, it becomes part of the family story, worn again and again for life’s big days.