This is a very special replica Tudor costume, commissioned by the Islington Education Library Service in 2010.   It is based on a portrait of Princess Elizabeth, daughter of Henry VIII and his second wife Anne Boleyn. Elizabeth was thirteen when this portrait was painted, twelve years before she became Queen.

This replica has been designed to show the wealth and magnificence of Royal dress. Upholstery fabrics have been used as they are closer to wealthy Tudor fabrics, in weight, hang and pattern than dress fabrics used today.

Rich women would have a maid to help them dress. It would be impossible to dress yourself successfully in these clothes. Hair would be dressed and make-up applied after the lady was dressed. Wealthy women would have fastenings at the back whereas the poor, who would dress without a maid, would have more accessible fastenings at the front.

This costume features matching detachable gold/red sleeves and forepart. Rich Tudor women would have to wear up to 10 separate items to achieve the look in the portrait below. Lots of their pieces would be interchangeable for to create different outfits.

TEMPORARY IMAGE - AWAITING STUDIO PHOTO