Latest News
October 30, 2024
'Ghosts did shriek and squeal about the streets' – Julius Caesar, act II, scene 2
Henry VII’s coronation as King of England was on 30 October 1485. Setting the crown on his head brought the Tudor dynasty to power for more than the next century.
September 26, 2024
‘Carving the fashion of a new doublet’ Much ado about nothing, act II, scene 3
Autumn is the time for doublet renewal or refurbishment to be sure that the men of the household are well turned out for Christmas (and Thanksgiving)!
June 29, 2024
‘Like the shaven Hercules … his codpiece seems as massy as his club’ - Much Ado About Nothing, act III, scene 3
The Tudor Tailor’s King of Codpieces competition attracted a great deal of interest and amusement on social media.
May 30, 2024
‘... an ell and three quarters will not measure her [Nell] from hip to hip’ - Comedy of Errors, act III, scene 2
The 'Borne out with whalebone' event at Wollaton Hall last Wednesday demonstrated the unlikely practicality of women’s dress in the 1590s.
April 25, 2024
‘Marry, here's grace and a codpiece; that's a wise man and a fool’ - King Lear, act III, scene 2
Evidence for the construction of men’s legwear in the 16th century is fragmentary and difficult to piece together.
March 28, 2024
‘Didst thou not fall out with a tailor for wearing his new doublet before Easter?’ Romeo and Juliet, act III, scene 1
Easter was a time for new life and spring cleaning.
February 29, 2024
‘I beseech thee, apparel thy head’ - Love’s Labour’s Lost, act V, scene 1
Evidence for typical dress is now more clearly visible in a painting currently on display at The Queen’s Gallery in London (until Sunday 14 April).
January 25, 2024
'O brave new world' The Tempest, act V, scene 1
The team has been busy overhauling the printed patterns in The Tudor Tailor range to improve the design, instructions and pattern sheets.
December 4, 2023
‘Bid your friends welcome, show a merry cheer’ - Merchant of Venice, act III, scene 2
The Tudor Tailor’s silver thimbles are based on an original example dated between 1580 and 1650 found at Acton Court in South Gloucestershire in the 1980s.
November 23, 2023
‘I know the young gentlewoman; she has good gifts’ - Merry Wives of Windsor, Act I, scene 1
The much-anticipated Farthingale Sleeves Kit is now available to buy in The Tudor Tailor’s online shop. The kit contains everything necessary to make a pair of farthingale sleeves.
November 1, 2023
‘You and your crafts! You have crafted fair!’ - Coriolanus, act IV, scene 6
The Tudor Tailor is ready for the Christmas rush with exciting new kits to help with the reconstruction of those fiddly, fancy and fantastic bits and pieces that make all the difference to your festive Tudor look.
September 27, 2023
‘… my love was crafty love’ - King John, act IV scene 1
Michaelmas at the end of September was a traditional quarter day in the Tudor calendar. It was when rents were paid and people were given their wages. It was a good time to plan food for the winter and Christmas expenditure.