Spirited Women – Sterke Vrouwen

From Sea to Mountains

A Sister Library Exhibit

A collection of traditional costume photographs from ZB Beeldbank Zeeland is on display at the Nederland Library.

The Walcheren traditional costume of the Netherlands, with its hood, takes center stage.

An illustration of traditional Walcherse women's clothing About the traditional traditional Walcherse clothing

Women wore long dresses with rich embroidery and a special cap called a kap. The cap changed based on a woman’s age and marital status. Walcheren women wore a Swiss lace under-cap with a langettenmuts (lace and ribbon cap) over the oorijzers and under-cap. Framing a woman’s face were the metal spial oorijzers which were adorned with metal pendants.

Another defining feature was the beuk. This breast cloth was traditionally adorned with detailed embroidery of symbols representing the wearer’s life and beliefs. This intimate detail faded out toward the end of the 19th century and was most commonly replaced with a plain white embroidered breast cloth.

Men wore simpler outfits with dark trousers and jackets, usually of black corduroy or velvet, that were practical for the coast.

photo of Goldie Griffith The exhibit also features spirited women from our town, including Nederland’s own cowgirl Goldie Griffith.