In the early 1800s, Irish clothing was not that different from what would be worn in England. Men wore breeches, a linen shirt, wool stockings, and heavy shoes and women often wore skirts or dresses, aprons, Galway shawls, and blouses.
However, Ireland was devastated by the Great Famine in the mid-19th-century. With many living in poverty, many across the country wore rags made from scraps of cloth. What many may recognise as traditional Irish clothing, such as the Aran Jumper and Irish tweed, were not in fact invented until the late 19th and 20th-century.
What is the traditional clothing of Irish?
Made often from handwoven fabrics from the hands of Irish people, the traditional clothing of the Irish included léine’s (tunic), brat’s (cloak), and trews (trousers).
Does Ireland have a national costume?
Ireland doesn’t have a national costume. However, some features of clothing are synonymous with Ireland, such as the Aran jumper and the Claddagh ring.
(Traditional Irish Aran Jumper) (Traditional Irish Claddagh Ring) - represents love, loyalty and friendship.
The history of fashion and traditional clothing in Ireland reflects a marriage between indigenous and homegrown clothing and inspiration from neighbouring traditions. The léine, for example, pronounced as ‘lay-nuh’, is a traditional Irish tunic-style apparel which would be made of linen or wool. Irish men often wore trews, which were tight-fitting bottoms that were made from wool, too.
There are also some parts of Ireland, particularly in Scotland, which traditionally wore kilts. Irish traditional clothing would often have been made locally with handwoven fabrics, imprinting the indigenous hand on all aspects of Irish garments.
One of the most common pieces of traditional Irish clothing among men and women, peasants and nobility, was the leine. The léine was a knee-length sleeveless tunic that would commonly be worn beneath the mantle or brat. Very wide at the bottom and narrow at the top, the léine would often be saffron-yellow in colour.
Although the actual material would often extend to the ground, many wore it gathered around the waist using a belt, so it would hang around knee or calf-length. Men would often wear the léine on its own. Whereas, women would more commonly wear it as an undergarment beneath sleeved dresses.
It may surprise you to discover that very little is known about traditional Irish clothing, particularly before the 12th-century. Historians widely believe that Ireland’s early inhabitants wore wool clothing. This was indicated by the discovery of the Moy Bog Gown in 1931. Researchers believe it dated back to the early 1300s.
The Moy Bog Gown was a fragment of a dress discovered on a decomposed body in the Moy Bog of County Clare. The fragments of the piece were sent to the National Museum of Ireland. Analysis later indicated the garment was made of a rough wool twill believed to be brown in colour. Details such as a front-buttoned bodice, a calf-length skirt, long fitted sleeves, and a rounded neckline were also clearly decipherable.
( The léine – a staple in Irish traditional clothing )
References:
Siân McQuillan (August 8, 2023) https://meanwhileinireland.com/traditional-irish-clothing-the-history-of-fashion-in-ireland/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
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