“It’s the time of year that you find your inner child”: 6 Norwegian fashion insiders on celebrating 17.mai

Nasjonaldagen, otherwise known as 17.mai, is an official public holiday that commemorates the signing of Norway’s constitution on 17 May 1814, the day that declared the country an independent kingdom. It’s a day of historic importance, and most of all, it’s a day of togetherness.

Norway is a country that seemingly triumphs when it comes to innovation and change, but the passion and pride for Nasjonaldagen remains untouched. As alarm clocks chime on 17.mai, watch as Norwegians clink Champagne glasses, enjoy copious servings of ice cream and waltz through the city under the Nordic sun. No matter the activity, the aim of the day is to fall asleep with a smile.

Here, six fashion insiders share their plans for 17.mai, as well as their guide to creating long-lasting treasured memories in the true Norwegian spirit.

“In the morning, when the whole city is commuting to where they are starting the day, kind of all at once – whether it’s towards a breakfast hosted by a friend or a meetup at the local school to prepare the – the energy is so lovely because everybody is so happy and beautiful. Congratulating smiling strangers in the streets every year is a strong memory from my childhood, actually.

I always wear my gorgeous bunad, have loads of ice cream (and sparkling wine), and spend the afternoon outside in the city unless it’s rainy or ice cold. Many people have annual traditions for breakfast or brunch with the same group of friends, but I’ve actually been spending the day with different people each year since I became an adult. That’s quite lovely too, no complaints. I’m really looking forward to hosting some Champagne breakfasts myself in the future, when I live in an apartment with a little more space.”

Related: Everything you need to know about bunad, the outfit everyone in Norway wears on 17.mai,

“My bunad is the most cherished item in my closet. I’m from Tromsø up in the north, and so is my bunad – from Troms County. It was a gift to me on my 18th birthday from my grandparents, and that will always feel very special. It comes in two versions with either a yellow or red vest, and I have the red one. It’s a little rare to see other ones like it here in the east, which I think is a little extra cool.

The hairdo of the year is always a bit tricky if you ask me, but I usually decide after the weather. I always opt for loose curls, or a half-up, but if it’s humid I feel better going for a braid or a low bun – and I'll maybe play around with the silk scarf that goes with my bunad, too.”

“We usually start with an early breakfast; sometimes we have friends over early before we go downtown to see the royals at their castle. My kids participate in the 17.mai march, and after that, we usually go to their school to celebrate more. The day is all about seeing people you love and for the kids to eat as much ice cream as they want. It’s the time of year you find your inner child: we sing, dance and play games.”

The secret is to do as much preparation as possible, have the outfits in order two days before and prepare food for everyone. I always cook the night before, so there’s not much sleep the night before.

I wear a fantasistakk (a folk suit), not a regular bunad. It’s a dress for celebration by Eva Lie and made from vintage fabrics and Indian saris, and I always feel gorgeous wearing it. I only change my shoes every year, and choose not to wear traditional shoes, but a “fashion shoe”.

I’m living in Paris so this year Nasjonaldagen is going to be very different for me. I actually have no plans. Last year I celebrated with my best friends. Someone I’m absolutely missing is [the late Norwegian journalist] Madeleine Holt, it will be the one year anniversary since she’s been gone.

The secret to the best celebration is great friends, great energy, some alcohol and great music. We as a group of friends - no matter how we start the day - always end up together and have the best time.

I don’t wear a bunad, I find it beautiful on others though. It’s very Vivienne Westwood.

Before I had kids, Nasjonaldagen was all about the party and early Champagne breakfasts, but now it’s quite a bit more family oriented. We meet some friends with their kids for a nice (and not so quiet) breakfast, and then we will head out to see the parade, eat ice cream and hotdogs and maybe play some games like potato race, hide and seek and all the things that kids love.

Great food and great friends; that’s all I need. It doesn’t need to be fancy as long as I’m with the people I love.

A great and long breakfast with family and loved ones is super important. We haven’t had time to make many new traditions with the kids because of Covid (and thus there hasn’t really been a celebration since 2019), but I can’t wait to make Nasjonaldagen their favourite day of the year!

I always dressed up in my traditional bunad before I had kids. It used to belong to my mother, and my grandmother before that. She fled from northern Norway during World War II and settled down in Gudbrandsdalen where she made this bunad for herself. It’s now nearly 80 years old, and I’m so immensely proud of it. It's super fragile because it’s so old, so I haven’t worn it much since the kids were born, but now as they’re both a bit older I’ll pull it back out.

As we say: hipp hurra for 17.mai!

17.mai is a joyful day for all people in Norway. The children's parade is a thing that gives me a lot of joy; I became an aunt in 2019 to a beautiful little girl and it's important for me to share this day with her. This year I'm an aunt for the second time, with another baby due on the 18th May. Maybe he'll be born on the 17th, a wonderful date to be born!

My new tradition is to have one year with family and the next one with friends. This year I will celebrate 17.mai with friends from high school. First we will meet for the annual traditional breakfast before we move on to Sørenga in Oslo where we have a nice table by the sea waiting for us.

The night that follows is bound to be good. I like to remind myself of the gratitude and joy I feel for being so lucky to live in a country like Norway.

I've always worn our traditional garment called a bunad which I inherited from my family. Sadly, it got stolen three years ago. I feel so proud to wear a bunad, so this year I will borrow one and hopefully get my own next year.

I'm planning on going to Oslo to celebrate this year with family, friends and loved ones. We usually start off with a yummy breakfast buffet, everyone dressed in their suits and bunads, ready to celebrate the day. And it’s totally acceptable to drink Champagne for breakfast in honour of the big day!

Then we set out for a long walk in the town. There are trains of people all over the city swinging their flags and good spirits all around. After a hot dog, there is usually a party or two to go to. Someone’s house or a rooftop somewhere. The whole city is celebrating, and there is always something fun happening; it’s definitely one of my favourite days of the year.

I have never had a bunad. I love them and if I was to have one I would definitely design a fantasy bunad, like my mum did. But I have always ended up wearing a suit or something funky. I love a white or blue suit with red, white or blue details for this day.

I think not having too many plans is the secret. Walking around the city and feeling the energy of the day! There is no particular tradition in our family. Personally, breakfast is the most important thing for me. I love being all dressed up and ready to party at 8am, it’s so much fun!