After the coldest spring in ages, Denmark is now experiencing its warmest May since the Danish Meteorological Institute began recording temperatures back in the 1800s. I do not think I am the only one who is slightly confused. And sweaty…

So today, I have dived into our collections looking for a more appropriate wardrobe for this surprise summer! For the more adventurous of our female readers, I have found the fetching contraption above.

Collected on the island of New Guinea in the 1950s by Danish adventurer Jens Bjerre, this cover was worn by the women to cover up the privates. I could imagine it would allow for a nice breeze on these hot summer days. However, the men in our readership should not feel left out! For them, I have found this surprising accessory:

The koteka, or penis gourd, is traditionally worn among many peoples of New Guinea, where this example was also collected; in the West Sepik Province of Papua New Guinea, to be more precise. Penis gourds are also known to have been used in The Amazon and parts of Africa as well. And while I might suspect that they could cause a certain amount of pinching in very sensitive places, there is no denying that you’d get a nice and even tan on the rest of the body.

So, with the suggestion to venture into the world of ethnographic fashion, go forth and enjoy the summer!

//Sophie Seebach