Volendam costume

A Dutch female dance costume consisting of six parts which include a three-quarter sleeved, v-neck shirt with red and white vertical stripes, the cuffs of which are edged with a floral embroidered trim. The sleeves and the body of the shirt both have slits at the sides. The front of the shirt has a large panel of floral patterned fabric which folds down 3 inches from the top for ease of dressing. This is then secured back up by a snap fastening on either side. A waistcoat composed of a thick black woollen material. Each of the sleeve openings and neckline have been trimmed with a contrasting red knit fabric. The bottom hem is trimmed with green to match the green lining, although both are different tones and fabrics. Much of the waistcoat is covered with bright, eye-catching embroidery, hand done by the donor Anne Kerkemeyer. There are eight eyelets on either side of the front panels, and the waistcoat ties up with a black "shoelace" string. A plain black full-length skirt with a band of blue at the bottom. There is tight pleating at the front center of the skirt and it is fastened with a black tie at the back. An apron composed of a dark blue cotton fabric, with a panel of checked fabric at the top. This panel is trimmed on its lower side by lace and on the top by the same floral trimming as the sleeves of the matching shirt. The apron ties up at the front. A floral cap made from the same floral fabric as the shirt's centre panel. The cap is trimmed with floral design and lace, and ties under the chin. A cresent shaped, white headscarfe with a panel of pink fabric and trimmed with lace.
This, and other related costumes were made when Anna Kerkemeyer was part of a Dutch dance group in the 1960s and 1970s. Dutch folk dancing groups became popular amongst emigrants in the 1950s as a way of keeping Dutch customs and traditions alive. Some of the costumes have been hand embroidered by Anna, and all were made from Dutch-sourced patterns or made in Holland.This costume is evidence of the continuation of culture after migration. The four costumes that make up the donation also illustrate the regional variations of dress in Holland.