#koivisto

Finnish national costume of Koivisto

I inherited this costume from my mother’s father’s mother. I’ve never met her. My great-grandmother and her son (my grandfather) were evacuees from the Karelian Isthmus. My great-grandmother purchased this national costume of her lost hometown likely sometime between the end of war and the late 60s. It may be that no one has worn it since she did, though my mother could not be sure. As far as she knows, it has been kept in the attic for years. 

I only got it because I saw an old book about Finnish national costumes among all the items my mother had cleared from her parents’ house. I asked if I could have it, and my mother said yes, but was confused why I would want it. I told her I was really interested in the national costumes and really wished I had one. She told me we had one in the attic at her parent’s house and that it was mine if I wanted it!

Words aren’t enough to describe how extremely excited and happy I am about inheriting this costume! Anyone can wear whichever costume they like the best, but I, as many others, specifically wanted a costume that represents my roots. Out of all the possible costumes and areas I could have chosen, Koivisto was always my number one. I feel like it’s fate! I cannot wait for more chances to wear it.

The costume consists of:

pleated, checkered woolen skirt with striped woolen hem

cotton linen apron with woven stripes, lace, and fringe trim

pleated linen shirt with large embroidery on the chest (called rekko) and collar, and embroidered cuffs with strings for securing

light woolen jacket with embroidery and string for securing

engraved silver buckle called paljinsolki

woolen headband called säppäli with tin ornaments

Not featured here:

white knee-high socks *

alternative thicker woolen jacket with slightly longer sleeves for winter

headdress consisting of pleated white veil and wide red band for securing **

Koiviston puku

Claesson Koivisto Rune, Parquet Patterned Pool and Spa, Sweden,

Mauno Koivisto, the ninth President of Finland, has passed away. A WWII veteran, Koivisto led Finland through the collapse of the Soviet Union, and into the European Union. He was the last Finnish president with significant political power, during and after his tenure the powers of the Finnish president were greatly diminished (something he himself supported). Today the presidency is mostly a ceremonial role.

Mauno Koivisto, 25 November 1923 – 12 May 2017