England, known globally for its lovely designs of clothing, has among its citizens various designs of dresses and costumes. This has become more evident since the coming together of the United Kingdom. The English take pride in not only the way they speak the English Language or their culture but also in their dress and costumes.

To the distaste of many Brits, England does not have a national dress yet. A far better choice for an English national dress would be to choose from our many customs and traditions we have in England (Burrow n. d.) However, in England, there is a mixture of nationalities residing in the country and many English men have taken to dressing in the costumes of these countries that makes up the United Kingdom.  

Many English men still proudly wear the Kilt, which originates from Scotland. The costume comes with a shirt, waistcoat and tweed jacket, stockings with garter flashes, brogue shoes and a sporran. Along with the outfit, a bonnet usually worn with the clans crest at the front.  

Women instead of wearing the Scottish kilt don a pleated skirt in a tartan material. Ever so often, sometimes a light shawl or plaid with a tartan material worn by many English women is a sight beheld.

Women in England also wear the national dress of Welsh. The national dress of Welsh is not as old as the Scottish costume and proudly worn still in England today. The national dress costume of Welsh consists of a hat that is made of black felt. A high crown and white brim placed over a lace cap completes the headgear. For the remainder of the body, a red flannel shawl worn over a crisp white blouse. To complete the costume, a full skirt made of wool with a black and white checkered pattern along with a white starched apron goes with the outfit. For the legs and footwear, black woolen stockings along with a pair of black shoes and a simple basket carried in the hand made from willow completes the costume.

Although there is not really a national costume for men, men of Welsh nationality would often wear tartan trousers or kilts. Presently there is a rise of nationalism in Wales to identify a national costume for men there.

Another type of dress worn in England is the traditional dancing costume that originates from Ireland. Although like England, Ireland does not have a costume, yet Irish nationalities goes about in Britain wearing the same bright costumes of a dancer from their country.

Although there are different nationalities living in England today, everyone seems to accept the various costumes worn in the country. Many Brits; however, are offended that England does not have a national costume but are willing to wear those of their neighbors, namely the Scots and Irish’s and thus showing a sense of comradeship.                                                                                                                            

                                                                                                               Works Cited 

Burrow, Mandy n. d. National Costume of England-National Dress. Published by Project Britain British Life and Culture,  

     projectbritain.com. Retrieved from: www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/customs/question/costume.html.