'Established in the fields of Great Britain': How can the study of dress further our understanding of the relationship between landscape, culture and identity? 1830 to the present

Abstract

This dissertation will explore how the study of dress can develop our understanding of the historic relationship between landscape, culture and identity in Britain from 1840 to the present. To do so, it will demonstrate how the growing social and cultural significance of rural landscapes, and their role within developing constructions of national identity were frequently reflected in changing styles of dress. Interdisciplinary in approach, this dissertation will weave together theories from the fields of history, cultural geography, sociology, dress and fashion studies to explore - through the lens of dress - how the rural landscape was understood and experienced. It will therefore be argued that the study of dress is a powerful analytical tool for the landscape historian, seeking to examine the social and cultural significance of past landscapes, and their role within constructions of national identity.