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One of my favourite film characters since childhood is Elizabeth Swann from the Pirates of the Caribbean. In this month’s blog we’re going to discuss how she represents development through character and, for the context of this article, costume.  Elizabeth’s first appearance as an adult is estimated to be set in 1728, just after the golden age of piracy in the Caribbean (1716-1726). This was due to European naval powers, namely the British Royal Navy, taking a more aggressive response towards piracy. Europe’s influence stretched further than the seas, weaving itself into the fashion trends across the globe. As the governor’s daughter, Elizabeth would’ve had the duty of maintaining these European trends throughout the British colonies — reinforcing the prevailing European ideals.  The gold dress: The first dress we see her in is an example of the “latest fashion in London” according to her father. Contextually this would’ve been the ‘robe volante’, popularised in France. Whilst...

As the colder months approach, scarves have returned as a saving grace to many of our otherwise bland outfits. With each year new styles are worn, but over time I’ve noticed one pattern continuously worn as a favourite: tartan.   Whilst closely associated with the Scottish Highlands, the pattern’s history does not lie only there. The earliest tartan-like samples date back to ancient China approximately 3000 years ago, following their discovery in the ‘Qizilchoqua tombs’ containing mummified remains wrapped in tartan-like cloth. It is suggested by some historians to be a branch of Indo-Europeans, a population carrying European physical characteristics who lived in this region up to around 4000 years ago, however there is no direct link to Celtic heritage from this group. Tartan designs were also found in Celtic regions in Europe, migrating to a denser usage in Scotland. The earliest surviving Scottish sample of tartan dates back to the 16th century.  The pattern is understood t...