I'm writing a story, and ended up making a couple characters "Finnish." While it's a fantasy story that isn't abiding by historical rules, I would like to have some consistency, and also it'd be cool to extend the Finnish inspiration. I figure I might draw from 19th century or later, so pretty much any clothing from 1800-1920 would work. While I suppose Karelian clothing could work (as the names of the characters could probably easily be changed), I'm looking mainly for clothing for people from Southwest Finland (Varsinais-Suomi, I hear?), since that's supposedly "Finland Proper," which makes it easiest to work with for me. Also, I'm looking specifically for day-to-day clothing; not weddings, funerals, festivals, anything that is extraordinary. Just normal clothes for normal people doing normal things.

I realize there can be a host of variety therein, but it doesn't matter too much. Plus, I'll need to make some tweaks for the story, anyway; I just need a few ideas so I don't make some terrible caricature. I saw this guy from a book in the early 1800s, but I don't know how historically reliable it is. I also saw two outfits that looked everyday here, in the subsections "Coastal Regions" and "Rural Regions." Again, not sure how reliable it is.

Thank you, anyone!

by Shaamba

2 comments

  2. Main materials were wool and linen closer to 1800s. Colors would be limited. Clothes were made at home in early 1800s, only richer folk could use tailors. This started to change though as 1800s went on with more people being able to use tailors and also more people starting to pick up “modern” fashions. Most common colors would be dark blue-ish, grey and brown. Women would prefer lighter colors. Colors would most likely be used as highlights and most of the clothes would still be natural color.

    Do note that the modern regional dresses (kansallispuku) you might find with searches are not everyday clothes and often have some nationalistic tendencies (ie. the clothes are too nice). But you would still get an idea of what types of clothes (eg how vests were used, how pants worked etc).

    Interestingly, many laws made it more difficult or impossible for tailors to do their job in the country and buying materials could only be done in cities. This started to change during 1800 with 1850s onwards being more free.

    Later 1800s started seeing the fruits of industrialization. Many new fabric types, patterns, colors etc came during that time. Cotton started taking a larger share in clothing. Clothes during that time can be seen in pictures so it is easier to research. The clothes also look a lot more like formal wear nowadays at least to my eyes.

    Sources: [http://seutu.wikimikkeli.fi/index.php/Vaatetus_1700-_ja_1800-luvuilla](http://seutu.wikimikkeli.fi/index.php/Vaatetus_1700-_ja_1800-luvuilla)

    [https://pohjois-savonmuisti.fi/historia/vaatetus/pohjoissavolaisten-ja-kuopiolaisten-pukeutuminen-1600-1800-luvuilla/](https://pohjois-savonmuisti.fi/historia/vaatetus/pohjoissavolaisten-ja-kuopiolaisten-pukeutuminen-1600-1800-luvuilla/)

    [https://pohjois-savonmuisti.fi/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Kuopiolaisten-puvustot-1800-luvun-alkupuiolella.pdf](https://pohjois-savonmuisti.fi/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Kuopiolaisten-puvustot-1800-luvun-alkupuiolella.pdf)

    [https://vaatteitakovain.wordpress.com/2020/04/28/mita-tapahtui-ennen-kuin-t-paita-maksoi-vain-999e-osa-i/](https://vaatteitakovain.wordpress.com/2020/04/28/mita-tapahtui-ennen-kuin-t-paita-maksoi-vain-999e-osa-i/)

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