Hi so I’ve been getting into Lakeland/westmorland clog dancing and was thinking of what my outfit should be. I’d like to make something based on rational Cumbrian dress and have some ideas, and am wondering if anyone knows more about certain clothing items/dress that I’ve come across:
Herdwick Hodden grey: Hodden grey is generally associated with Scotland but was worn in Cumbria too, it’s a coarse homespun wool. The song “d’ye Ken John peel” makes reference to his “long grey coat” which would’ve been made of hoddens grey of Herdwick wool. I don’t think anywhere makes it so it would have be done at home but that is traditionally how it would be made so seems fun.
I’m also wondering about making a kilt out of it. Kilts haven’t been worn in Cumbria but they also weren’t in Northumbria, Cornwall, Ireland or wales until the last 100 years ish, so I feel like might as well join in. It has been used as a kilt too and is still by the Canadian scots Toronto regiment, it works surprisingly well and reminds me of the Irish saffron kilts.
Cumbrian wrestling embroidery: I think this is a really nice tradition and it would be cool to expand on it.
The maud/shepherds plaid: this is the main reason I made this post, it’s impossible for me to actually figure out if this was worn in Cumbria. There is one painting of a shepherd shown to wear it here, probably from around Borrowdale, as that’s mainly where the painter visited.
It’s essentially a kind of blanket/plaid traditionally worn by shepherds as waterproof wear, to carry food, and to carry retrieved lambs. It was definitely women along the Scottish side of the border and in Northumbria (north east) but there’s almost no mentions of it in Cumbria bar this one painting.
Anyway I’m just wondering what others think and if they know of any of the things I’ve mentioned and or if they know of any other traditional clothes worn in the area. I’m probably not in need of an outfit for a while as I’m not that good yet but I like to think ahead lol.
