Underdräkten

Underdräkten is a term from Swedish traditional dress referring to the innermost garment worn as the first layer beneath outer clothing. It functioned as a base layer to protect more elaborate garments, regulate warmth, and absorb sweat, thereby extending the life of outer outfits.

Historically, underdräkten was common in traditional Swedish dress from the early modern period into the 19th century, across social classes though variations occurred with region, season, and fashion. The garment was usually worn under a gown, jacket, or robe and was sometimes tied at the waist or fastened with simple closures to allow ease of movement.

Materials and construction: underdräkten was typically made from linen or cotton, with woolen variants in colder regions or seasons. The cut was generally simple, often rectangular or slightly shaped, and provided as a single piece or in two parts, depending on local practice. Finishes were modest; decoration, when present, was minimal and regional.

From the mid- to late 19th century changes in fashion and the development of separate underwear led to a gradual replacement of the term in everyday language. In modern usage, “underdräkten” is encountered mainly in historical sources, costume-making, and museum labels describing traditional dress.

Today the concept remains of interest to scholars and reenactors aiming to recreate authentic Swedish dress, and it appears in studies of material culture and dress history.