Habit of a Countrywoman of Dalecarlia in Sweden

by Thomas Jefferys

"Habit of a Countrywoman of Dalecarlia," created by Thomas Jefferys in the 18th century, is an interesting illustration of folk costume, also referred to as "folkdräkt," used in the Dalarna region which was also known as Dalecarlia at that time. Dalarna was regarded as the center of the folk culture of Sweden, where clothing played an essential role in identifying the social class, the parish people were from, and their marital status.

The elements of the woman's outfit from the bodice and woolen skirts to headgear can be viewed as proof of a provincial society in which everything was crafted to perfection. This print goes beyond the idea of presenting the outfit; rather, it illustrates an ethno-historical study that captures the unique "Old World" atmosphere of rural Sweden prior to the era of the Industrial Revolution.