I read on the news today about children being asked to come to school in costume for ‘culture day’ the idea was to celebrate an aspect of ‘your’ culture to show the blend we have in this country, all the positives and how diversity makes us stronger. Some schools specifically banned ‘flags’ because while a flag is the emblem of a country it isn’t really part of it’s culture.
Of course this enraged some people who for some reason love the flag more than anything, certainly more than the actual culture of England. They assumed that schools were ‘banning the union jack’ .
So this post is for parents struggling with costume ideas for British, specifically English, culture. And yes of course if we go back far enough it may well have originated somewhere else, but if we did that to it’s logical conclusion we would all turn up naked and bring a rock into school.
So these are costume ideas of things that are ingrained into the British/English culture.
You could dress as a food. The French famously insulated us by calling us Roast Beef (les rosbifs), so dress as a big joint of beef. Or the traditional Christmas pud. Or maybe a scone, the perfect way to start a class discussion around jam or cream first.
You could dress as someone who added some culture (or at least fame or infamy) to our country, Shakespeare, Dickens, one of the Austen or Bronte sisters, a new romantic poet, Henry IIIV , Queen Elizabeth I, or an artist. Dress as a Turner painting! Or a character from a famous English book. Follow the Olympics idea and celebrate the NHS.
You could dress in a recognised ‘English’ way, pinstriped suit and bowler hat with umbrella and briefcase, a Morris dancer, a police officer, or don something to resemble a Vivienne Westwood outfit. How about a pearly king or queen? Or a Punk Rocker!
You could dress as a native animal, red squirrel, badger or deer.
and of course there is nothing more British than the weather and moaning about it..
I would honestly love to see a class, and parents really embrace this idea for all the cultures of children in a class. What a wonderful way to learn and explore.
I do think though that teachers need to have a lesson prior to this to discuss ideas, and the ‘why’ and what the day is expected to do. Randomly telling children to ‘dress as your culture on Friday’ is really a recipe for disaster, children need steering through what culture is, they need teaching and parents need a few weeks notice!
If you were dressing a child for YOUR culture, what costume would they be wearing? (No flags 😉)
None of the amazon links are affiliate links, I couldn't be bothered - you can probably find the costumes cheaper on eBay.
