The first time I ever saw a lady dressed in traditional Welsh clothing was in a book about quilting. At the time I couldn’t make heads or tales about it, because it was so different from the Slavic ethnic costumes I was familiar with.
But it was a real thing, women really did dress that way, and the evidence is from the historical photo above. The stovepipe hat, which was worn by both genders, was made of black silk, but women wore a ruffled white cap underneath it. Over their shoulders they wore a shawl and a white kerchief, and under that, a “bedgown” of printed muslin, or a blouse and skirt combo, with a petticoat and an apron which could be made of various harmonizing fabrics. Shoes were of black leather with big shiny buckles. Long fingerless gloves completed the getup.
The connection between this, and stereotypical American “Pilgrim” garb, is interesting. I see similarities to American Amish costumes too.
The woman exemplifies a Welsh physical type too — thin lips held in a line, dark eyebrows, heavy-lidded eyes. Photos of rock stars Ray Davies and Jon Anderson, taken when they were young, show this type as well. Both were of Welsh ancestry.
It’s amusing to me how fantasy fiction set in a Wales-like world never hints at this costume; everything’s generically Medieval.
And if you want some generically Welsh female names, here’s a list below. Not in real Welsh, but something that only sounds like it.
Welsh Names (Female)
| Achiarea
Aellan Agreidd Amae Anniaw Annietrie Archangei Arianywn Asyen Bergfia Breiwynn Bryneiry Brywaness Bwrayd Cariffei Cigwirdd Dyffa Dyffaudery Eilyth Einessway Emwy |
Faena
Farcha Ferchtrei Glaesweddyn Iwedd Lyshawri Myfandan Oware Pwythra Rhianwll Rhodae Rhodfai Sabinwyra Sigfaydda Tairwy Tegnian Treen Trisatws Uwyll Yffedwyn Ywfn |
