BS: British National Dress?

Subject: BS: British National Dress?
From: Alan Day
Date: 20 Aug 09 - 05:30 PM

What would you consider the British National Dress would consist of.Many nationalities have their own National Dress what is ours? The only thing I can think of is a Bowler hat and a rolled up umbrella.
Any thoughts ?

Subject: RE: BS: British National Dress?
From: Ebbie
Date: 20 Aug 09 - 05:47 PM

Good heavens. That brings up the question of what the USA 'national dress' might be. IMO, there ain't such animal.

And as a woman, I'm taken aback at the very idea that a 'national dress' question should be so blatantly sexist.

Subject: RE: BS: British National Dress?
From: Emma B
Date: 20 Aug 09 - 05:50 PM

it's unlikely you would find that style of dress outside of a small circle of male civil servants in London (circa 1950s) or possibly The Avengers :)
- whatever else it might be it's hardly British or a National Dress! - sorry

Subject: RE: BS: British National Dress?
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 20 Aug 09 - 05:54 PM

I think it would be a burberry coat and wellies and a homeknit sweater and a sensible plaid skirt...male or female would do. mg

Subject: RE: BS: British National Dress?
From: Alan Day
Date: 20 Aug 09 - 05:55 PM

Well how about a Cowboy/Girl outfit Ebbie , Doris Day looked lovely in it and Gary Cooper is still watching that clock.
Al

Subject: RE: BS: British National Dress?
From: Smokey.
Date: 20 Aug 09 - 05:55 PM

The only thing I can think of is a Bowler hat and a rolled up umbrella.

Gosh - no trousers?

Subject: RE: BS: British National Dress?
From: Peace
Date: 20 Aug 09 - 06:02 PM

British National Dress: I'm all for it!

Subject: RE: BS: British National Dress?
From: Ebbie
Date: 20 Aug 09 - 06:09 PM

Peace, are you sure she is not American? Put some cowboy boots on her and you couldn't tell the difference. :)

Alan Day, western gear is very regional. In Alaska they wouldn't know what to do with it; here the men dress, by and large, as they do in New Jersey. It is one of the things I miss from Oregon. In Oregon, most men wouldn't be interred in waist-high pants (I first wrote 'paints'); westerners know that men's jeans should ride on the hipbones.

Subject: RE: BS: British National Dress?
From: Alan Day
Date: 20 Aug 09 - 06:10 PM

Bit overdressed Peace,be sensible !!
Al

Subject: RE: BS: British National Dress?
From: Emma B
Date: 20 Aug 09 - 06:11 PM

In our climate - you have to be joking!
a bit more like it

Subject: RE: BS: British National Dress?
From: Paul Burke
Date: 20 Aug 09 - 06:12 PM

Flat cap, weskit, clogs. That's the wimmin.

Subject: RE: BS: British National Dress?
From: Smokey.
Date: 20 Aug 09 - 06:14 PM

Clogs? You were lucky, lad.

Subject: RE: BS: British National Dress?
From: Emma B
Date: 20 Aug 09 - 06:26 PM

"That's the wimmin."

possibly .....

coal brow female workers at Wigan

Subject: RE: BS: British National Dress?
From: Smokey.
Date: 20 Aug 09 - 06:32 PM

I seem to remember the English national costume to be pinstripe, bowler and black brolly. It was once virtually a uniform in city financial circles, hence the parodying of it in 60s film and TV. I was always disappointed that we couldn't have something a bit more cheerful.

Subject: RE: BS: British National Dress?
From: ClaireBear
Date: 20 Aug 09 - 06:58 PM

Woad?

Subject: RE: BS: British National Dress?
From: Emma B
Date: 20 Aug 09 - 07:15 PM

Traditional Welsh woman's dress
Right, betgwn, and long skirt, open at front of thickly felted homespun cloth.
Left, Red woolen flannel cloak over striped petticoat and apron worn with Welsh hat

Subject: RE: BS: British National Dress?
From: Emma B
Date: 20 Aug 09 - 07:26 PM

The Feileadh Mhor
Simply constructed of wool, often as long as fifteen feet It was boil washed so the material could shrink, bringing the fibres tighter together, making it quite water proof.

Subject: RE: BS: British National Dress?
From: Micca
Date: 20 Aug 09 - 08:49 PM

Em, "betgwn, and long skirt, open at front of thickly felted homespun cloth." How very novel, didn't think the Welsh wimmen were so "casual" in there habits.

Subject: RE: BS: British National Dress?
From: Emma B
Date: 20 Aug 09 - 08:58 PM

They know how to live it up
Micca

Subject: RE: BS: British National Dress?
From: Emma B
Date: 20 Aug 09 - 09:09 PM

Well just 'cos it's a music site here are some Wild Welsh Women :)

Subject: RE: BS: British National Dress?
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 20 Aug 09 - 10:16 PM

Here's the bowler hat & umbrella put to use (as well as a few other examples...).

Subject: RE: BS: British National Dress?
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 20 Aug 09 - 11:10 PM

Ah, but they are held by the one American in the lineup!

Subject: RE: BS: British National Dress?
From: Gurney
Date: 20 Aug 09 - 11:25 PM

My grandad and his compatriots all wore a dark suit, well polished black boots (instep too, you scruffy begger!), pinstripe shirt with white detachable collar, dogtooth-check flat cap, white silk choker, and a whippet tied to their leg. Sometimes a jack russell. Pub-going gear, this. Almost a uniform.

Subject: RE: BS: British National Dress?
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 20 Aug 09 - 11:46 PM

The word "British" in title ot this thread is a catchresis. With one exception, only ENGLISH has been addressed [pun intended? not sure]. The Scots & Welsh certainly have their own national dress...

Subject: RE: BS: British National Dress?
From: Alan Day
Date: 21 Aug 09 - 03:17 AM

Yes in the UK only the English have not got a National Costume, Why?
Many of the Traditional costumes were regional like Gurney mentioned my Wife's Great Grandfather wore the same suit in the exact detail you mentioned. There was of course many classical suits and dresses worn, all on display at the Victoria and Albert Museum. The only traditional suit men wear these days is The Morning Jacket,striped trousers and waistcoat,but only for Weddings, Ascot etc.
Al

Subject: RE: BS: British National Dress?
From: Emma B
Date: 21 Aug 09 - 04:22 AM

"England was the first country into the industrial revolution creating generations of town and city dwellers who adopted an industrial form of dress which was more related to occupation and social class."

There are some excellent examples of occupational dress from the 'clothes of the cut' to the distinctive regional patterns of fishermens ganseys

Subject: RE: BS: British National Dress?
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 21 Aug 09 - 04:26 AM

...yes: we should be discussing, rather, the national dress of Scotland (kilts?), Wales, England (Morris-like?), and, perhaps, the Isle of Man...

(P.S: the famous rugby comp. is now the 6 NOT 4 nations.)

Subject: RE: BS: British National Dress?
From: Alan Day
Date: 21 Aug 09 - 04:57 AM

Gurney do not forget the Gold or Silver watch on the Albert chain proudly worn and then passed on to the oldest. I have my dear Grandfathers Watch and chain featured on his suit on his wedding day.
Al

Subject: RE: BS: British National Dress?
From: Will Fly
Date: 21 Aug 09 - 05:42 AM

Well, I'm a good solid English citizen and I think my daily attire of thong, wellies, silk choker and fedora should be adopted nationally. It's a bit breezy in the winter months, mind you, but it's a good, distinctive costume and quite attractive in a sort of perverted way. Beards are optional, by the way.

Subject: RE: BS: British National Dress?
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 21 Aug 09 - 05:44 AM

"Scotland" [kilts?]" - asks WAV. Kilts in the Highlands, tartan trews in the Lowlands — regional variations important, of course. & various kinds of bonnet for the Scots: Hieland bonnet with its ribbons, Tam o' Shanter with its bobble ...

Earlier the farmworker's smockfrock, tho only worn as work dress, was a sort of English national dress I suppose, tho only among agrarian labouring-class; but that disappeared completely in early C20.

Subject: RE: BS: British National Dress?
From: Alan Day
Date: 21 Aug 09 - 05:57 AM

I am reminded that the trousers just above the ankles were tied up with string to prevent rats running up the legs.
The Smock ,yes I had forgotten that,is that the nearest to a National dress (no pun intended)?
Same time same place Will?
Al

Subject: RE: BS: British National Dress?
From: Will Fly
Date: 21 Aug 09 - 06:15 AM

Same time, same place, Al - bring your thong.

Subject: RE: BS: British National Dress?
From: Micca
Date: 21 Aug 09 - 06:28 AM

Based only on a cursory observation of its widespread occurance the English national dress (male)it must be Jeans (scruffy)or extremely uunflattering shorts over paty white legs, T shirt(with slogan or pop group or football club strip).This seems to be the most widespread male attire in this part of London

Subject: RE: BS: British National Dress?
From: bobad
Date: 21 Aug 09 - 06:41 AM

Can someone elucidate, for an uninformed colonial, exactly what a "choker" is? A link to an illustration would be helpful. The images I get from Google are not, I believe, what you are referring to.

Subject: RE: BS: British National Dress?
From: theleveller
Date: 21 Aug 09 - 07:16 AM

"Can someone elucidate, for an uninformed colonial, exactly what a "choker" is?"

Usually, a short knotted scarf. In Will's case, I dread to think.

Subject: RE: BS: British National Dress?
From: Mr Red
Date: 21 Aug 09 - 07:20 AM

Morris regalia?

Given the tradition of dressing as women (whatever your gendre category) - particularly Molly - I think we can claim that Morris is PC despite head-teacher's protestations.

Scots (& Irish) Kilts.

I think the Welsh are lagging behind a bit though.

Subject: RE: BS: British National Dress?
From: Alan Day
Date: 21 Aug 09 - 08:34 AM

Thong Will as well as the Fireman's Helmet?
Al

Subject: RE: BS: British National Dress?
From: Alan Day
Date: 21 Aug 09 - 08:37 AM

At least the Welsh have a traditionally known costume we have nothing.
Al

Subject: RE: BS: British National Dress?
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 21 Aug 09 - 08:54 AM

"Well, I'm a good solid English citizen and I think my daily attire of thong, wellies, silk choker and fedora should be adopted nationally. It's a bit breezy in the winter months, mind you, but it's a good, distinctive costume and quite attractive in a sort of perverted way. Beards are optional, by the way." (Will)...my lunch had gone down quite nicely until I read that!

Micca - jeans are more of an American thing, surely.

Subject: RE: BS: British National Dress?
From: manitas_at_work
Date: 21 Aug 09 - 10:22 AM

Originally fishermen's slops from Genoa, Italy - hence jeans, commonly made of serge de Nimes (denim) from France. What's so American about that? But I think Micca's observations hold up pretty well even if there is strong competition from the shalwar kameez in sunny Plaistow.

Subject: RE: BS: British National Dress?
From: manitas_at_work
Date: 21 Aug 09 - 10:27 AM

I think the 3 piece suit topped off with a hat relevant to your social class was the English equivalent of National dress in Victorian times but the Empire made British modes so widespread that it ceased to be a National dress.

Subject: RE: BS: British National Dress?
From: Jamming With Ollie Beak (inactive)
Date: 21 Aug 09 - 10:38 AM

denim shirt, blue jeans, red Brooks high-tops and bowler hat (you think I'm kidding don't you? *LOL*

Olivia Beak (Ms)
fashionista (failed)

Subject: RE: BS: British National Dress?
From: Will Fly
Date: 21 Aug 09 - 11:17 AM

A choker is a knotted scarf - very popular with the Cockneys in the Victorian period.

At least the Welsh have a traditionally known costume we have nothing.

Yes - but who wants to be stereotyped by dress? As for Welsh dress, I can picture Welsh women in their skirts and puritan-style hats - but the men? Nothing springs to mind. Say "Scotsman" and we tend to think of kilts, sporrans, shortcake, tartan, bagpipes. How awful - to be instantly conjured up as a tourist stereotype.

Al - let's stick to our thongs and wellies. I just know the folk club bookings will start to flow in. I'm preparing fliers (illustrated) even as I type this. What colour thong would you like? And black wellies, by the way - green ones are so "county", doncha know...

Subject: RE: BS: British National Dress?
From: Stringsinger
Date: 21 Aug 09 - 11:23 AM

Is Britain so monolithic that it can have only one national dress? I think not.

If so, everyone should dress like the Beatles because they made the most money. :)

Maybe like Knights of the Roundtable replete with armor.

What the world doesn't need is more stereotypes.

Subject: RE: BS: British National Dress?
From: Jamming With Ollie Beak (inactive)
Date: 21 Aug 09 - 11:27 AM

"Well, I'm a good solid English citizen and I think my daily attire of thong, wellies, silk choker and fedora
-Walkaboutsverse

The word fedora comes from the title of an 1882 play by Victorien Sardou, Fédora, written for Sarah Bernhardt.

The fedora has to go, it's French not English *LOL*

Olivia Beak (Ms)
fashionista (failed)

Subject: RE: BS: British National Dress?
From: Jamming With Ollie Beak (inactive)
Date: 21 Aug 09 - 11:32 AM

ooops I forgot this bit....

The bowler hat was devised in 1849 by the London hatmakers Thomas and William Bowler.

Oh jolly what me hat is English!

Olivia Beak (Ms)
fashionista (failed)

Subject: RE: BS: British National Dress?
From: Art Thieme
Date: 21 Aug 09 - 11:40 AM

It hhad a plunging neckline----but had been stitched shut. It also had a zipper, for convenience, about 6 inches below the bellybutton.

Art

Subject: RE: BS: British National Dress?
From: Micca
Date: 21 Aug 09 - 12:34 PM

according to Dylan Thomas a couple of components of the Welsh national dress (male) might be
" Jack Black prepares once more to meet his Satan in the
Wood. He grinds his night-teeth, closes his eyes, climbs
into his religious trousers, their flies sewn up with
cobbler's thread, and pads out, torched and bibled,
grimly, joyfully, into the already sinning dusk.

Subject: RE: BS: British National Dress?
From: sian, west wales
Date: 21 Aug 09 - 01:23 PM

Actually, Welsh men these days have a kilted outfit that is pretty run of the mill as these things go, but popular and available on rental from most men's outfitters. Traditionally there is an outfit comprising knee britches (clos penglin), short jacket (often blue) and waistcoat. White stockings and black shoes with silver buckle. Flat quaker-style hat.

Re: women's dress, there was an excellent exhibition in the National Library recently which brought home the major differences in regional Welsh dress. The tall hat wasn't ubiquitous, and even tall hats varied in shape where they did take hold. Not many the shape of the kiddies' version you see on St David's Day. Many working women wore cockle-shell bonnets or version of the 'Jim Crow' hat famous throughout Britain. I guess red or navy hooded capes were pretty popular all over Wales.

Re: English 'national' dress, what nation? Far more interesting to have Cornish dress, Norfolk dress, Cumbrian dress, etc.

sian

Subject: RE: BS: British National Dress?
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 21 Aug 09 - 01:54 PM

my brain hurts

Subject: RE: BS: British National Dress?
From: Alan Day
Date: 21 Aug 09 - 03:18 PM

Virginia, Is that traditional beachwear dress ?

Sian ,now you are getting complicated, Bowler Hat and pinstripe suit - City of London, Cockney -Pearly outfits (How's Yer Father suits), Suberbs Horsey and hunting outfits, Farm Labourers outfits, it is not straight forward. No wonder it is difficult to pinpoint a dress that suits all.
Al

Subject: RE: BS: British National Dress?
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 22 Aug 09 - 05:16 AM

"If so, everyone should dress like the Beatles because they made the most money. :)" (Stringsinger)...so pop were the Beatles, they even tried talking with American accents.

Subject: RE: BS: British National Dress?
From: Penny S.
Date: 22 Aug 09 - 05:30 AM

Last night, driving through Dulwich, I found myself behind a woman cycling. Cropped jeans, lying low on the hip. Above, a thong bisecting exposed upper buttocks. Above that a skimpy top waist length. Someone below mentioned thongs, or I wouldn't have crept the thread.

Penny

Subject: RE: BS: British National Dress?
From: Will Fly
Date: 22 Aug 09 - 06:13 AM

I was the thong mentioner - nd I've also seen thong-tops peeking out. Brrr!

A man who feels very unwell finds that conventional medicine can't cure him, so he goes to an alternative medical practitioner. After listening to his symptoms, the practitioner hands him a leather thong, 7" long, saying, "Cut off one inch from this thong each day and eat it. At the end of seven days, you should feel better". So, the man cuts off an inch each day and eats it. At the end of the week he goes back to the practitioner who says, "How do you feel?" The man replies, "No better, no better at all." The practitioner sighs and says, "Oh well, that just proves the truth of the old tune: The thong is ended, but the malady lingers on...".

I'll get me coat.

Subject: RE: BS: British National Dress?
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 22 Aug 09 - 06:21 AM

"Last night, driving through Dulwich, I found myself behind a woman cycling. Cropped jeans, lying low on the hip. Above, a thong bisecting exposed upper buttocks. Above that a skimpy top waist length. Someone below mentioned thongs, or I wouldn't have crept the thread." (Penny)...threadbare, then. ;-)>

Subject: RE: BS: British National Dress?
From: Paul Burke
Date: 22 Aug 09 - 07:57 AM

The English national dress should include the chip on the shoulder. Or is that the national cuisine?

Subject: RE: BS: British National Dress?
From: Micca
Date: 22 Aug 09 - 08:36 AM

PennyS I understand the "technical" term for the "visible thong above low-slung jeans" is a "Whale tail"

Subject: RE: BS: British National Dress?
From: Alan Day
Date: 22 Aug 09 - 03:02 PM

For someone who by mistake put his body in the leg hole of a pair of pants,I can honestly say that a thong looks incredibly painful to wear, (as were the pants).
Al

Subject: RE: BS: British National Dress?
From: Anne Lister
Date: 23 Aug 09 - 05:14 AM

The Welsh women's costume as generally portrayed was mostly invented by Lady Augusta Waddington from Llanover Hall, who was busy re-inventing a lot of "Welsh" customs, place names and habits. She made Llanover into a model village and made all the pubs into tearooms. (Should that be "but" rather than "and"?)
A fascinating character, but her inventions aren't necessarily historically accurate!

The trouble with national dress is that no one normally wears it in everyday life these days, no matter which country you look at. So it's normally seen worn by dance display teams. In which case we're back to Morris dancing, I suppose ... or should we be looking at more modern dance forms?

Subject: RE: BS: British National Dress?
From: Jack Campin
Date: 23 Aug 09 - 08:29 AM

tartan trews in the Lowlands

Never worn by a significant number of people of any social class, except for military-related formal dress in the 19th century.

Earlier the farmworker's smockfrock, tho only worn as work dress, was a sort of English national dress I suppose, tho only among agrarian labouring-class; but that disappeared completely in early C20.

Found all over Europe. They were still in everyday use in Romania about 20 years ago.

Subject: RE: BS: British National Dress?
From: greg stephens
Date: 23 Aug 09 - 01:35 PM

Surely national dress is something that foreigners have? We don't need that sort of thing in England.

Subject: RE: BS: British National Dress?
From: Mooh
Date: 23 Aug 09 - 03:33 PM

Just to keep this musical, it's the thinger not the thong.

My kid is going to England in a couple of weeks, so please settle this soon, before she goes shopping.

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: BS: British National Dress?
From: Alan Day
Date: 23 Aug 09 - 07:16 PM

A National Costume is one to be worn with pride.
Ours seems to be missing.
Are you talking about the Scots,Welsh and Irish Greg we have nearly all got a bit of that blood in us and we live here.
Stick a white flag up now ,or do you want me to hold your coat.
Al

Subject: RE: BS: British National Dress?
From: Jamming With Ollie Beak (inactive)
Date: 24 Aug 09 - 02:15 PM

"The Welsh women's costume as generally portrayed was mostly invented by Lady Augusta Waddington from Llanover Hall"
- Anne Lister

Then there was Edward Williams/Iolo Morganwg/Iolo Morgannwg the renowned forger and collector of medieval Welsh documents, and godfather of the mesodruid phenomenon.

Subject: RE: BS: British National Dress?
From: lady penelope
Date: 24 Aug 09 - 05:44 PM

Actually we do have a national dress, an American friend pointed it out. You see people wearing it all the time, at major and minor events, hay days and holidays.

It is, dear catters, the ubiquitous yellow flourescent jacket. Apparently nowhere else seems to see the need to dress everyone in this item. And it also seemed apparent to my friend that nothing - by almost a matter of tradition - could be 'official' or done until someone in a flourescent jacket turned up to 'make it so'....

So fret no more, the matter is resolved..... *G* Unless someone in a flourescent jacket says otherwise....

Subject: RE: BS: British National Dress?
From: Alan Day
Date: 24 Aug 09 - 06:27 PM

Thank goodness Lady P I thought you were going to say the red Tee Shirt with Ronaldo on the back now superseded with Rooney.
That really would have stirred the natives.
Alan, Alan, Alan, ALAN, ALAAN OY OY OY ALAAAAAN
(for those lovers of a new brilliant TV programme)

Subject: RE: BS: British National Dress?
From: paula t
Date: 24 Aug 09 - 07:39 PM

I have read this thread with interest.I feel it is important to keep these traditions alive, and writing them down is one way of doing this. However, these need to be full and accurate descriptions if they are to help future generations to maintain the culture.I would therefore like to add my humble expertise to existing postings.

Micca,
I loved your post. I feel however that you missed a vital piece of the British male national costume.You said,

"Based only on a cursory observation of its widespread occurance the English national dress (male)it must be Jeans (scruffy)or extremely uunflattering shorts over pasty white legs, T shirt(with slogan or pop group or football club strip).This seems to be the most widespread male attire in this part of London"

You forgot to add........ sandals with socks!

Walkabouts verse,
Your description of the female costume was almost there, but I feel it important to correct an important omission. You said,

"Last night, driving through Dulwich, I found myself behind a woman cycling. Cropped jeans, lying low on the hip. Above, a thong bisecting exposed upper buttocks. Above that a skimpy top waist length.

Don't forget the importance of the multiple piercings ("home made")through such parts of the body as eyebrows, lips, tongue, navel ...........and,in a case I saw this week, the back of the neck.
I still have bad dreams about a thong I saw a young girl wearing at Party in the park a few years ago. The visible part was......A CHAIN!Now that is true dedication to the living tradition!

Subject: RE: BS: British National Dress?
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 25 Aug 09 - 06:25 AM

It was light-hearted, Paula, so I don't mind - but that was not my post.

Subject: RE: BS: British National Dress?
From: Alan Day
Date: 25 Aug 09 - 10:33 AM

Very observant paula t whilst driving? Lot if twisty roads through Dulwich. Enjoyed your posting though,very much.
Al

Subject: RE: BS: British National Dress?
From: GUEST,Doc John
Date: 25 Aug 09 - 11:45 AM

Isn't English national dress more based on class and 'occasion': evening dress, morning dress, shooting, hunting, fishing etc.
I always get the impression that national dress was invented in the 19th century by those quaint folk who invented Ye Olde Tea Shopee etc although it was based on local fabrics, styles etc which were themselves based on necessity.
Doc John

Subject: RE: BS: British National Dress?
From: Will Fly
Date: 25 Aug 09 - 02:36 PM

I have decreed that the English National Dress - from 1st January 2010 - will be: tattooes. No clothes, just tattooing over strategic parts of the body.

So, my personal tattoos will be of a thong (you can imagine for yourselves where this might be, and wonder at my resilience), wellies, a choker, and possibly some kind of hat. In winter, I'll have a dragon tattooed on my back, with it's beak up my...

'Catters - where will your tattooes be under the new regime? No lies, now.

Subject: RE: BS: British National Dress?
From: Stringsinger
Date: 25 Aug 09 - 05:47 PM

There is nothing as laughable as a trumped-up national dress.

i think it might look something like skinheads and Nazis.

Frank

Subject: RE: BS: British National Dress?
From: Emma B
Date: 25 Aug 09 - 05:54 PM

'There is nothing as laughable as a trumped-up national dress.'

How very true - believe it or not someone has proposed this !!

Subject: RE: BS: British National Dress?
From: Alan Day
Date: 25 Aug 09 - 06:07 PM

That link Emma has made me wish I had never started this.
Al

Subject: RE: BS: British National Dress?
From: MuddleC
Date: 25 Aug 09 - 06:48 PM

--it's got to be shell suit bottoms with trainers and some football club t-shirt listing the client list of Saatchi & Saatchi, but watchout, the 'hoodies' are coming of age...

Subject: RE: BS: British National Dress?
From: GUEST,Will Fly on the Hoof
Date: 26 Aug 09 - 03:34 AM

Emma's link is a hoot. But note the very prominent knives...

Subject: RE: BS: British National Dress?
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 26 Aug 09 - 04:40 AM

Thanks for that Emma B - I could fit my English flute in that sheath. :-)>

Subject: RE: BS: British National Dress?
From: Jamming With Ollie Beak (inactive)
Date: 26 Aug 09 - 10:16 AM

"Thanks for that Emma B - I could fit my English flute in that sheath"
- WalkaboutsVerse
Ahh the recorder I remember attempting to learn that instrument in school, and being thoroughly bored with it after about a half dozen lessons.

English flute: A name used in the 18th century for the recorder to distinguish it from the transverse flute, (the ordinary orchestral flute) which was at that time called the German flute.

Subject: RE: BS: British National Dress?
From: greg stephens
Date: 26 Aug 09 - 11:03 AM

Wxcellent, thanks Emma B for drawing that to my attention. I have sent off for an outfit and will wear it at all folk festivals, BNP meetings and any other appropriate occasions.

Subject: RE: BS: British National Dress?
From: Jamming With Ollie Beak (inactive)
Date: 26 Aug 09 - 11:17 AM

The dress will be quite fetching, I'm sure, Greg! *LOL*

Charlotte Olivia Robertson (Ms0

Subject: RE: BS: British National Dress?
From: CarolC
Date: 26 Aug 09 - 11:41 AM

The thing about a country's national dress is that it's only a snapshot of the sort of clothes people in that country were wearing during a fairly specific period of time. So the question would really be, what was the national dress in Britain during the 19th century, or the 16th century, or whatever. And the answer to the question of what is the British national dress would be dependent on the time period being discussed.

Subject: RE: BS: British National Dress?
From: Alan Day
Date: 26 Aug 09 - 01:04 PM

We still seem to be hanging on to the Georgian era,long tail coats Top Hats,Waistcoats pinstripe trousers.The dresses were also very pretty
unfussy, but delicately decorated. I would not be unhappy if that became out national dress.The jewellery from that period was also lovely
I have two Georgian rings that I really enjoy wearing. The later Victorian dress was very fussy and lacy, but it is a question of taste.
Will see me after class for six of the best!!!
Al

Subject: RE: BS: British National Dress?
From: Jamming With Ollie Beak (inactive)
Date: 26 Aug 09 - 01:16 PM

"Will see me after class for six of the best!!!"
- Alan Day

ahhh...another fine old English custom *LOL*

Charlotte Olivia Robertson (Ms)

Subject: RE: BS: British National Dress?
From: Alan Day
Date: 26 Aug 09 - 01:44 PM

Sadly one I received a few times Charlotte.
Al

Subject: RE: BS: British National Dress?
From: Will Fly
Date: 26 Aug 09 - 01:56 PM

Six of the best what - tattooes? Al, you can spank me any time (tee-hee)... :-)

Subject: RE: BS: British National Dress?
From: Alan Day
Date: 26 Aug 09 - 02:51 PM

Will, I think I will stick with just a few tunes together and a nice cup of tea.Tattoos and spanking sound a bit painful to me.
Al