Expert: Kaye McAlpine - 10/6/2008

Question
Im looking for information on clothing worn in institutions in the 1700's and 1800's in Scotland.  Im working on a project in the Royal Edinburgh Hospital and would like to put on a fashion show of nursing costumes and indeed different formal dress of these times.  Can you give me advice on sourcing costumes?

alison

Answer
Dear Alison

That sounds fascinating,, and I hope I can give you some pointers, though this is so far out of my remit, and I apologise if I go over ground you've already been over.

Have you been in touch with the Museum of Costume at Shambellie - Shambellie House, New Abbey, Dumfriesshire, DG2 8HQ, Tel: 01387 850 375. They might be able to help with the 1800s

For costumer, you might (just might) end up being cheaper having copies made by people who know what they are doing. I've been hunting around online for someone who could make a justaucorps and a banyan for me. You could contact the Museum of Scotland, for the name of the person who made their 18th century coat, panniers etc. There is a name sewn on to the costumes, but I can't tell you who it is off the top of my head.

I noticed during a Google that  the Aberdeen Maritime Museum houses the The Kenneth A Webster Nursing Collection (Shiprow, Aberdeen, AB11 5BY, website : http://www.aagm.co.uk information : miked@aberdeencity.gov.uk, tel : 01224 337700). They might be able to help with regard to earlier sources (most of their stuff in 20th C).

Were there uniforms per se in the 1700s? I'm asking, as I am genuinely interested. when I think of 'hospitals' in that age, I veer towards foundling hospitals and bedlams.

Left field thinking, but , have you contacted Angels the costumiers - www.angels.uk.com - or even the BBC?

Get back to me if I'm off on the wrong foot.

Kind regards

Kaye