Traditional Welsh Costume

Post cards, school eisteddfods, rugby games, and folk dancing – here are a few examples of where you are likely to see the Welsh National Costume today. But what is the costume’s origins – and how much truth lies behind its development as an unofficial icon for Wales?

The main exhibition this summer will be ‘The Welsh National Costume’ which will explain the origin of the costume and why it is worn. The exhibition has been created by Michael Freeman, curator of Ceredigion Museum, Aberystwyth. He has taken a great interest in the costume for many years and has read over 40,000 words used to describe the costume from the 18th and 19th century as part of his research.

One of the most distinctive parts of the costume worn by women in Wales at the end of the 18th century was the bedgown or betgwn – a low-cut jacket with a tail similar to that worn by many women in much of Europe. But for some reason it survived longer in Wales than elsewhere. The Welsh bedgown was also distinctive in that it was usually made of striped flannel whereas in England it was often made of plain cotton (or cotton mix). Recent research has identified regional variations in Wales for the bedgown and Welsh hat.

Photographs, prints, paintings, post cards and examples of costumes will be on display during the exhibition, examining the evidence for its origins and development over the years. The exhibition will be open to the public between 21 June – 4 October 2008. There will also be a related exhibition in Ceredigion Museum, Aberystwyth between June 21 and 30 August 2008.

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