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Welsh National Costume

Welsh National costume evolved in Wales in the late 18th century as a development of costume worn in town and country. The popular image of Welsh "national" dress, of a woman in a red cloak and tall black hat, is one which has developed as a result of various influences which arose in the nineteenth century.

The costume regarded as national dress is based on clothing worn by Welsh countrywomen during the early nineteenth century. The tall "chimney" hat did not appear until the late 1840's and seems to be based on an amalgamation of men's top hats and a form of high hat worn during the 1790 - 1820 period in country areas.

Today the costume is usually worn by young girls throughout Wales on St David's Day. The typical female costume, as designed and made popular by Lady Llanover, was made up of the following:

• Tall hat, made out of hard board with thin beaver fabric glued on to it.

• white cap, worn under the hat, made of cotton or muslin with long frilled lappets extending down the shoulders

• bedgown

• white blouse

• petticoat

• small red flannel shawl

• cloak

• skirt , full and made of wool with a black and white check pattern.

• white starched apron

• black woollen stockings and black shoes

• a basket, made from willow withies would often be carried.

Welsh men do not have a national dress, although attempts have been made in recent decades to 'revive' a Welsh kilt which never in fact existed!  

The Welsh hat worn by women as part of Welsh national costume is a tall stovepipe-style hat, similar to a top hat. It is still worn by women, and particularly schoolgirls, in Wales on St David's Day, but rarely on other occasions. It is a legacy of 18th century dress. The hat is normally worn with a lace cap underneath, showing under the brim, or may have lace attached to the brim. The covering is usually of black felt. It received great prominence in 19th century romanticism, and acquired greater notability than it may in fact have had in earlier centuries.

Legend has it that the women's hats were a deciding factor in terminating the attempted invasion of Britain by Napoleonic forces in 1797. The French soldiers are said to have mistaken the women, seen at a distance in their red shawls and Welsh hats, for a detachment of British "redcoats", whose uniform included tall black hats.

There is an "alternative" women's hat for those who consider the traditional Welsh hat unflattering, in the form of a "cocklewoman's hat", a flat straw hat tied with ribbons

A derived meaning of Welsh hat is an ancillary stack, usually black in colour and slightly conical, attached to the funnel of a ship to ensure cleaner disposal of exhaust from the engines. This arrangement was used in several passenger liners by the Orient Line in the 1950s.

Little Miss Welsh Doll Costumes

Welsh Spinners Print Prices start from £16.99 (click here for details)

Pethau Bach Fancy Dress

Welsh Costumes Canvas Prices start from £16.99 (click here for details)

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