The English Civil War and Interregnum 1642-1659

You’ve probably noticed that there’s no picture on this page. That’s because I couldn’t find a depiction of what I wanted . a Cavalier and a Roundhead of the period, showing the differences in their ways of dressing. Know why I couldn’t find such a picture? Because they didn’t exist. While it is true that extreme Puritans wore colourless clothing, colour in dress wasn’t abolished during the era of Commonwealth rule. Even Cromwell wore red and lace and metallic braid. He even was known to [gasp] dance!

The differences in clothing styles in the Interregnum were like every other period . the rich fashionistas wore the most decadent, expensive clothing they could afford and the conservative clergy railed against it. No different from today, really.