Test your knowledge of costume
Look at the sequence of images of costumes from different periods. Answer the questions then check your responses against the sample answers.
Image caption, Image from The Tudors
Jonathan Rhys-Meyers as Henry VIII Credit: © 2010 TM Productions Limited/PA Tudors Inc. An Ireland-Canada Co-Production
1 of 6
Question
Can you explain which period is represented by each image and why?
The first image represents the Tudor era. This is obvious as the character is dressed in an Elizabethan costume of a doublet or fitted jacket. The high neck is also indicative of Tudor times although a ‘ruff’ would be more indicative of the period.
The second represents the Regency period. The character is wearing a tailcoat and holding a hat from the period.
The third image represents the 1950s. This is made clear as all three women are dressed in the typical fashion of the time. It suggests also that it’s the late 1950s as the woman in the brown shift dress wouldn’t look out of place in an early 1960s setting. The hairstyles are also typical of this period with the woman wearing a headband in particular a good representation of how young women wore their hair in the period.
The fourth represents the 1970s. Women wore long flowing dresses in this period and headscarves were also predominant. The hairstyle and make-up is also typical of the period, although the character of Margot has put her ‘suburban’ spin on the seventies and hasn’t followed the popular ‘hippy’ trend of the time.
The next image represents modern times so the early 21st century. The character is classically dressed in a winter overcoat, shirt and tie but the cut of clothing shows that it’s not from an earlier period. A 1970s tie would be a ‘kipper style’ and the trousers would be flared. The character’s hairstyle is also modern with no long 1970s sideburns in sight!
The final image is of a Cyberman from Doctor Who. This is an elaborate costume that conceals the actor completely. It’s a fantasy or sci-fi character and not from a defined era although it could be called futuristic.
Question
Now look again at the picture of Henry VIII. How will his costume help the actor create the character of Henry?
The costume is in a rich gold embellished fabric and is designed to signify the character’s status and wealth which would help the actor get into character as Henry VIII. There is significance in the choice of colour too as red signifies danger and power in this instance. As Henry was a feared king, who wasn’t afraid to kill to get his own way, this colour choice signposts the character’s personality traits very effectively. It’s also an attention seeking costume and would help the actor stand out visually in a scene. The fact that the costume is also fitted will help the actor assume the more rigid posture of a king. A loose, less fitted garment wouldn’t be suitable for this characterisation.
