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Every loyal Englander should wear
traditional English National Dress whenever possible. For example, many Scotsmen
wear their national dress at weddings, official gatherings ~ they even wear it
at the Official Opening of the Scottish Parliament. Englanders should do
likewise.
There are those who claim that England does not
have a National Dress ~ this is incorrect. The genuine National Dress of the
English follows in the style of the first Anglo Saxons who arrived on these
shores and is far more authentic than the national dress of both Scotland and
Wales, which was 're-invented' during Queen Victoria's reign.
Read the following, make your outfit, and then at
the next opportunity, wear your English National Costume as proudly as other
nations do.
LADIES AND GIRLS DRESS
Always remember that the Anglo Saxons were
extremely civilised and the women were highly skilled in fine embroidery and
needlework. Clothes were colourful, well made and decorative.
Item 1 : Shift
Off-white, ankle-length straight shift made of
light material with long sleeves fastened
tightly around the wrist/arm with silver clasps
or small wooden buttons. The extra wide cuffs and edge of the skirt decorated
with colourful embroidery. Round neck, either gathered
with cord or attached to a small upright collar.
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Overdress
7 inches shorter than the shift, in a straight pinafore style in rich red,
finely woven light material decoratively embroidered with Saxon motifs around
the edges and borders.
Decorative shoulder straps pinned
with
Saxon style pin or brooches.
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Item 3: Belt Leather
or cord belt from which is hung a small knife with ornate handle (Anglo-Saxon
word 'seax') in decorative sheath, a set of silver keys, silver spoon and
leather pouch. |
Item 4 : Cloak Full 3/4 length
red, lined cloak with decorated edge, pinned at the shoulder with large Saxon
style broach. Cloaks were worn indoors as well as out.
Item 5 : Jewellery Ornate, finely
made jewellery, the style being light and decorative, not heavy or chunky.
Silver or gold rings Saxon style. Amber beads around neck and coloured wooden
bead necklace. Anglo Saxon silver cross and chain.
| Item 6: Shoes Red/brown leather
in simple ankle boot with coloured strip or elaborate cross lacing. |
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Hair Braided decoratively, or
swept up in Roman style. Narrow decorative head band. |
Men's Dress
It is important to remember that the Anglo Saxons were highly
civilised and clothes were well made, bright, often rich and decorative. The men
were clean shaven and wore their hair short, tidy and frequently crimped around
the temples and forehead.
Item 1 Tunic Red, light
woollen tunic. Below knee length. Round or V-necked. Long tight sleeves with
embroidered edge or woven wrist bands. The skirt of the tunic was often
embroidered with Saxon motifs ~ in the case of Theigns and Kings, with encrusted
jewels.
The tunic is held at the waist with a narrow leather belt or
woven girdle from which hangs a long knife (seax) in a decorative sheath and
leather money pouch.
Item 2: Undershirt
Light, with cord drawstring neck
Item 3: Leggings Long
and fitted in fine wool. Legs sometimes bound up to the knees.
Item 4: Cloak Bright
woollen material, decorative edging or lined with contrasting colour, e.g. red
on gold. Worn either short or middle length. Square or rectangular in shape.
Clasped with a single round brooch on the right shoulder with the loose material
swept back on the brooch side, so leaving the sword arm free.
Item 5: Shoes Same as
for women.
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