All Aboard! A re-enactment approach to Victorian Railway Guard’s Clothing

Abstract

This paper examines the form, function and practicality of the clothing worn by late nineteenth century railway guards in Britain. It does so by taking a re-enactment approach, involving the commissioning, wearing, and reporting of replica garments in an appropriate workplace. It demonstrates that whilst such uniforms were smart and created an impression of authority in the wearer and potential viewer, they were not practical, and in fact, elements such as bandoliers and pouches could have been dangerous to the wearer.

Keywords

• interpretation
• living history
• (re)construction
• newer era
• united kingdom