The Bakkersbuis and the Myth of the Dutch Baker

Abstract

This mythology, focuses on the Bakkersbuis. A garment used in the context of Dutch bakeries and the practice of baking bread. It has a longstanding visual history from historic children’s literature, to contemporary YouTube tutorials, resulting in this piece of workwear being recognized as a symbol of craft, expertise, and the image of the Dutch baker. However, through oral history and ethnographic insights, it has been found that this jacket is not used by bakers during the actual bread-baking practice. The garment is and has throughout time been too restricting in movement, expensive in cost, and precious to the wearer. In the spirit of Roland Barthes’ Mythologies, it is argued that the Bakkersbuis embodies the meaning surrounding the bakers’ practice. Visual evidence shows that the Bakkersbuis has been used by bakers during local events and public appearances. The Bakkersbuis is a visual tool for nostalgia creation around the bakery trade and it is argued that the white-coat effect of doctors and their garments is at play here. Paradoxically, the garment signals aspects of craft, authenticity, and expertise even though it was not used during the actual labour.