Tudor Costumes

Posted on September 7, 2011 by admin

As regular readers will know, we get our fancy dress theme inspiration from things that have happened on this date in history. We have a choice of 2 unrelated costumes themes today, read on to find out what they are and let us know which one you would choose.

September 7^th and it’s the National Day of Brazil, but unless you’re keen on carnival or football (some British ex-pats did set up the first Italian football club in Genoa this day in 1893) there’s not much scope for a celebratory theme. There is always an option for a carnival based fancy dress theme. Some people use the carnival theme as a chance to wear one of our beautiful masquerade masks. We have one of the largest ranges available on-line and we keep them in stock all year round.

If Carnival does not ‘float (get it?) your boat’, why not go with our alternative excuse for a celebration is that it was upon this date in 1533 that the future Queen Elizabeth I was born. As most people know, she was the daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, although her mother was executed when Elizabeth was two and a half as Henry sought to find a wife who could bear him a male heir. Despite being declared illegitimate as a result of Anne’s fall from favour, Elizabeth grew to be the last and possibly greatest of the Tudor monarchs.

As the current second Elizabethan reign stands on the verge of the Queen’s Jubilee next year, many organisations and groups are starting to make their plans for celebrations to complement the official events and, judging from past experience (and jubilees), many of these may involve pageants of the ‘Gloriana’ Elizabethan Tudor age. Needless to say, we at Props n Frocks will be here to help – just don’t leave it to the last minute!

Some of our Tudor Costumes include (some of these are hire costumes only)

Henry VIII
Elizabeth I
Wenches
Tudor Man
Rich Tudor Ladies
Peasant Men
Jester Costume

Take a look at some of our range of Tudor costumes

Tudor / Medieval Fancy Dress

Posted on June 23, 2011 by admin

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Today, we suggest a medieval or Tudor theme. Earlier this week we spoke about the Diamond Jubilee next year for Elizabeth II. Today we thought we would hark back to another Elizabethan era, that of the Tudor Queen, Elizabeth I. The reason we mention it today, aside from all the recent school events where Kings, Queens, Princes & Princesses have featured is that during Elizabeth I’s reign, today would have marked the summer solstice. The Elizabethans were great ones for festivals and celebrations, many of which would have been dictated by the church. Unlike nowadays when the summer solstice is a bit of a movable feast, as noted earlier this week, in the sixteenth century Midsummer’s Eve was always on this date and would often be celebrated by Mummers troupes who would depict various legends, such as St George and the Dragon. So if you are aiming to dress up today, what would you prefer Medieval or Tudor? Take your pick.

Here are a few Medieval | Tudor costume suggestions…

Medieval Monk
Knight
Damsel – look at our medieval lady costumes
Merlin – use a wizard costume
King Arthur
Robin Hood
Elizabeth I
Peasant man & lady
Jester
Rich Medieval Man & Lady
Rich Tudor Man & Lady
We also stock kids rich and poor Tudor costumes that are suitable for school dress up days

Tudor / Medieval Fancy Dress Theme

Posted on May 31, 2011 by admin

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Our fancy dress theme today is Tudor or Medieval. It really should be Stuart England as on this date in 1669, the noted diarist Samuel Pepys actually ceased writing this most valuable record of life in seventeenth century times, citing his failing eyesight as the reason. Aside from the major events witnessed – he watched the Fire of London and took the precaution of burying a valuable cheese in his back garden– we gain valuable insights into the trivia of his everyday life, and, in some cases the traditions of the day. For instance, in his diary entry for Valentines Day 1667, Pepys records how one Will Mercer had drawn his wife’s name to be his valentine whilst he, aside from also being his wife’s valentine, has been picked by the daughter of a Mrs Pierce to be her valentine. (This picking of pairing of valentines dates back to Roman times). The costumes for Stuart England, are not so prolific as perhaps the Tudors or Medieval periods, but from time to time we do get requests, particularly with regard to the school curriculum, for these types of outfits.

As Stuart costumes are probably more suited to a costumer (this is someone who re-produced historically accurate costume), in the world of fancy dress often the eras of Medieval, Tudor & Stuart all begin to merge as one.

This type of costume theme is common for weddings, especially if they are being held in an historic building such as a castle and can add to the atmosphere of the day. Large banners and huge candles will also add to the overall effect. We’ve had customers hire in knights for a jousting competition and jesters to keep the guests amused. It all comes down to your budget in the end and how far you actually want to go.

If you are okay with your guests arriving in a mixture of medieval, Tudor & Stuart costumes, then that is fine, if however, you require the costume code to be strict, you may want to read some costume advice on each historical period – just scroll down until you find the era you are interested in.

If you are are looking for Medieval Costume Ideas – this blog has loads of potential costumes for you to have at, and take a look here for Tudor & Elizabethan costume ideas. If it is childrens historical costumes you are looking for, take a look at this page, it has loads of great costumes that are ideal for a school dressing up day.

Tudor Costumes

Posted on April 15, 2011 by admin

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We were a bit spoilt for choice for a fancy dress theme today.

A few days ago we mentioned Beltane on May 1^st, a time where maypole and Morris dancers can be seen welcoming the Merry Month of May. Prior to that of course we have a number of other events where people can get together. Those of the Christian faith will be observing Easter next week, whilst here at Props n Frocks we will be dealing with the traditional costume requests for chicks, rabbits, and Mad Hatter’s Tea Parties. On Sunday 23^rd it will be St George’s Day, where aside from costumes for knights, dragons and damsels, red and white accessories, bunting and flags will be required. This is also Shakespeare’s birthday, so opportunities to don Tudor/Elizabethan garb are also available. Then of course, there is a certain royal wedding.

So, we decided to have a Tudor fancy dress theme today as we thought you may all be Easter chicked and Royal Weddinged out!

William Shakespeare has to go down as one of Great Britain’s greatest. With a wide range of plays to choose your costume from, Props n Frocks will be able to provide you with a fantastic costume.

Here is a small selection of Shakespeare’s works with some possible costumes that you may want to wear…

Antony & Cleopatra – Roman / Egyptian costumes
Hamlet – Medieval Costumes
Julius Caesar – Roman Costumes
Macbeth – Witches, Medieval Costumes
Othello – Venetian costumes
A Midsummer’s Night Dream – Fairy and Mythical costumes
Romeo & Juliet – Medieval / Tudor Costumes. Also why not wear 50′s costumes for the more modern version of West Side Story?

Tudor Fancy Dress

Posted on March 24, 2011 by admin

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We have highlight Tudor Fancy dress as it was on this day in 1603, that the Tudor dynasty in England came to an end,with the death of Queen Elizabeth I. Having ruled for 45 years (her reign started on 17^th November 1558) Elizabeth I never married and upon her death the throne went to James VI of Scotland, who having also become James I of England was the first monarch of the United Kingdom – a situation that still exists today. So why is this relevant for us here at Props n Frocks?

Well, we are often asked for Tudor costumes, particularly for the school national curriculum, with many children wanting to dress up as Henry VIII, one of his wives, or Elizabeth I. Naturally we have a good selection of Tudor costumes for sale and hire. We also have a number of adult ones as we are increasingly finding that some teachers are keen to dress up for the relevant historical period.

Take a look at this other blog written about Tudor costumes – it will give you a lot of information about what the costume etiquette was in Tudor Times. A note of caution: Most fancy dress will not provide costumes that are historically correct but give a more practical solution to this period of history.

Tudor Fancy Dress Theme

Posted on February 15, 2011 by admin

Today we offer you a Tudor fancy dress theme as it is the 60^th birthday of actress Jane Seymour today. As the more astute of you will know, Jane Seymour was also the

name of Henry VIII’s third wife and the only one to receive a royal funeral having died following child-birth (having born Henry a son), rather than having been executed. The Miss Seymour in question here adopted that name when she was seventeen and has since had a rich and varied acting career. She had an uncredited part as a chorus girl in ‘Oh What A Lovely War’ (directed by her then father-in-law Richard Attenborough), she was in the Onedin Line, achieved international stardom as Bond Girl Solitaire in ‘Live and Let Die’ and is probably best remembered since for her role as Dr Quinn, Medicine Woman. She has had cameo roles in a number of other popular TV series and movies. In fact the only role she does not seem to have played is one of Henry VIII’s wives. So what theme do we suggest today? In honour of the Tudor Queen, we offer you a Tudor themed fancy dress party.

http://www.props-n-frocks.co.uk/proddetail.php?prod=AC419

Tudor | Elizabethan Fancy Dress Theme

Posted on January 15, 2011 by admin

Today, we decree that you have a Tudor | Elizabethan fancy dress party as on this date, in 1559, Queen Elizabeth I was crowned Queen at Westminster Abbey and started the ‘Gloriana’ era of the first Elizabethan reign, which lasted until 1603. Now whilst many of us like a good historical theme, suggesting a Tudor/Elizabethan event might not be all that popular, especially given that many males are adverse to the ‘doublet and hose’ (i.e. ‘tights’) look that is so much a part of the era. However we have found that in the case of some costumes, such as the Tudor Edmund Blackadder, men are prepared to stretch their principles.

In the costume world, we have realised that we need to use a little artistic license, so that our costumes offer the general feel of the era, rather than being historically correct. By doing this, the costumes appeal that much more as they are more wearable. Please bear this in mind when considering a Tudor Costume. If you read on below, we have listed some historically correct things about clothing during the Tudor / Elizabethan eras just for a point of reference, just do not be disappointed if you cannot find a historicaly accurate costume to purchase.

The richer the material from which Tudor clothes were made, the higher the status of the wearer. Silks, furs, and heavy brocades, as well as wool, were used for Tudor clothes. Bright colors of taffeta and satin were commonplace and it wasn’t unusual to see patterns mismatched.

Both men and women wore their hair shoulder length.

Men wore short doublets (jackets) over their hose (Pantaloons). It was fashionable for their sleeves to be slashed and their flat hats were often decorated with feathers. Women’s clothing gave them a triangular shape. Their corsets were tight fitting while their kirtles (petticoats) and gowns were very full

Poor people wore simple, loose-fitting clothes made from woollen cloth. Most men wore trousers made from wool and a tunic which came down to just above their knee. Women wore a dress of wool that went down to the ground. They often wore an apron over this and a cloth bonnet on their heads

Tudor is also covered on your children’s curriculum at school. Many schools have Tudor dress up days, where they either take a group of children out to a local Tudor house, or actors visit the school. children are often encouraged to dress up, and Props n Frocks has Tudor costumes for girls and boys (rich & poor)

Tudor Fancy Dress Costume Suggestions:
Tudor Peasant Lady
Tudor Peasant Man
Tudor Lady
Tudor Man Costume
Henry VIII
Henry VIII’s wives
Jester
Monk

Nonetheless, if Tudor is a little too specific and off-putting, how about a more general historical event, given that it was upon this day in 1759 that the British Museum was opened?