English National Dress - Male

The male standard order of English National Dress is based on a mix of north European and Old English Dress. Thus the deep Red and ‘off’ White reflects both the English national colours of St George, The English White Dragon, and Nordic influences. This acknowledges the Viking and Saxon influence within England. The model wears a Seax knife on his front to denote he is a free Englishman. His trousers and smock are of well spun wool. He wears his own ‘Timberland’ style ground boots to reflect modern dress influences and practicalities. The male standard order of dress is smart, practical and easy to wear. Unseen in this plate is his white linen under shirt or tunic, which form the smock for the warm weather order shown below. As an alternative, and like the ‘female’ English National Dress, linens or other materials can be used for the smock and trousers, if wool is not practical.

Origins of 'male' English National Dress

The origins ‘male’ of English National Dress are steeped in the origins of the English. To times when the English were dwellers of forest and people of the sea. Like the female version of English National Dress it is designed with the earliest of influences in mind. The representation of the Anglo-Saxon warrior above form the early 7th Century wears a beautiful recreation of the Sutton Hood Helmet. He has a seax and an Anglo-Saxon sword. No one expects to achieve this kind of costume. But - the image takes us back to the tales of the Offa I and Steadfast sword and great deeds done.

Warm weather ‘male’ English National Dress

The White linen under tunic forms the basis for the warm weather order of ‘male’ English National Dress. The model is shown holding his Seax in a non-threatening pose to show it when drawn. This order of male English National Dress is cool in warm weather, and keeps the basic English national colours of Red and White. He wears a solid silver English battle axe necklace. Additional embroidery can be added.

Cold weather ‘male’ English National Dress

The model wears a cloak pinned by a solid silver broach with a design representing the White Dragon of the English etched onto it. It is warm, stylish and practical. The cloak is worn over the standard order of male English National Dress, pinned above the right shoulder, and is simply cut from deep Red wool. It is actually very warm!!

Solid Silver Jewellery

The necklace worn by the model is a solid silver English battle axe design with a representation of the Tiw up arrow etched onto its surface. The up arrow of Tiw is the ‘Sky Father’ rune and protector of the English. Shown here against the off White well spun wool of the tunic or smock of the standard order of ‘male’ English National Dress.

Smock or Tunic

Off White wool with deep Red detail invoke the White and Red of St George and The White Dragon of the English. The neck is laced with simple light brown linen lace. Examples of what embroidery is possible are the two boar designs on the neck. Shown below in more detail.

Embroidery and detail

The two boar designs are embroidered in white wool to give an example of simple designs that can be achieved. Cross of St George, White Horse, White Dragon, or other designs can be achieved. These boars could represent the Viking influence in England or the old Northumbrian kingdoms.

Deep Red trousers

Cut from deep Red well spun wool these trousers are smart, hard wearing, and easy to cut and make. They are a straight cut trouser, with belt loops. This requires another hidden belt to be worn.

White linen under shirt or tunic

The linen under shirt or under tunic forms the basis for the warm weather order of ‘male’ English National Dress. It is cut long enough for the tunic to cover the top part of the trousers and is vented on the sides as shown.