English Costumes
Bognor Regis International Dance Ensemble
We have English costumes representing two eras: early 18th century and late 19th century - both as
worn by the middling classes. The costumes were created
with our usual resourcefulness.
Early 18th Century Costume
These copies of early 18th century costume have a dress gathered up and worn over the petticoat
or underskirt. A fichu is draped over the shoulders under the dress, and there is a mob cap for the head.
A
grant from Arun District Council allowed us to choose a variety of complimentary colours for the dress as opposed to making do with what we could find.
These costumes are the girls favourites, a combination of colour and elegance, transforming them
into sophisticated young ladies.
Late 19th Century Costume
Late 19th century/early 20th century English girls generally wore a pinafore over a mid-calf
length dress (or skirt with a blouse or jumper).
Our girls' hair is usually held back with blue ribbon tied in a
bow. There is also a large bow of the same ribbon fastening the back of the pinafore. The girls sometimes wear short black
boots with this outfit.
