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University of Glasgow

A History of Royal Fashion

University of Glasgow via FutureLearn

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Overview

Enter the world of British royal fashion and discover its rich history

A History of Royal Fashion welcomes you on a 5-week journey into the wardrobes of British kings and queens. Your fashion history exploration will span across five royal dynasties from the Tudors, Stuarts and Georgians to the Victorians and Windsors.

You’ll receive exclusive access to the Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection, and experts at the University of Glasgow and Historic Royal Palaces will invite you to look at a variety of sources that will help you to study the fashion history of British monarchs.

Discover the fashion of the Tudors

Enter the extravagant world of Tudor fashion and learn about how the Tudors used fashion to project power and wealth, how portraits could be used as propaganda and how Henry VIII liked to dress. Observe a real Tudor hat and learn about the dress from the famous ditchley portrait of Queen Elizabeth I.

Step into the wardrobes of the Stuarts, Georgians and Victorians

Travel back in time to a 17th Century fancy dress party and witness the costumes and glamorous masques of the Stuart period. Then jump forward to the Georgian period and step into court. You’ll experience courtly dress and big wigs before learning about revolutionary fashion during this time.

Learn about Queen Victoria’s wardrobe and the impact of technological advancements in society on the fashion industry. Take a look at royal wedding dresses and discover Victorian fashion for mourning.

Exploring British royal fashion today

End your journey through the royal eras by studying the fashion of the Windsors. Explore how royal fashion developed into a less extravagant display of suits and blazers.

At the end of the course, you’ll learn about how we conserve and display royal fashion and create exhibitions to highlight the ever-changing trends of British monarchs.

This course is designed for those who have an interest in fashion history and/or the Royals. No prior knowledge is required; all learners are welcome.

Syllabus

  • The Tudors (1509-1603)
    • Introduction
    • Tudor style
    • Power and propaganda
  • The Stuarts (1603-1714)
    • Introduction
    • Performance and style
    • Keeping up appearances
  • The Georgians (1714-1837)
    • Introduction
    • Courtly fashions
    • Public and private fashions
  • The Victorians (1837-1901)
    • Introduction
    • Fashion and technology
    • Fashion, family and customs
  • The Windsors
    • Introduction
    • Continuity and change
    • Fashioning royalty

Taught by

Sally Tuckett

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Reviews

5.0 rating, based on 2 Class Central reviews

Start your review of A History of Royal Fashion

  • Profile image for Maria Cecilia Lim
    Maria Cecilia Lim
    Excellent course! The topic was not only interesting, but the variety and choice of learning activities were excellent, engaging and very apt for the course. I not only learned the history of fashion but I can remember the succession of royalty from King Henry VIII forwards in relation to what they wore. Now if they can do another lecture on pre-King Henry VIII (probably not fashion but maybe on swords and armor), I could probably recite the whole sequence if ever asked.
  • Anonymous
    As an American, I’ve always been fascinated by the Royals. As a fashion journalist, I’ve been intrigued by the history of clothing and fancy dress. This course is the best of both! From the Tudor’s to the Windsor’s, all of this is covered and I feel much more familiar with this fascinating family and their history. Loved this!
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