A view of Queen’s Parade, Bangor early 1900s.  Photographer W.A.Green. (Image, copyright, from the collections of National Museums NI.  Ref: HOYFM.WAG.399A)

The scene in this picture (above) shows a number of people out and about on the seafront at Bangor in the early 1900s, all dressed in their best clothes.  It’s hard to tell now what time of year this photograph was taken, but given our unpredictable summer weather, it could well have been July or August!  The picture was taken at a time when rail and bus travel networks had expanded greatly across Ulster, bringing a day trip to Bangor within the reach of many people. A grand day out at the seaside was the perfect occasion for a bit of summer style and the chance to show off a new outfit or two.

The straw boater

For men, the straw boater was a summer essential. In the early 1900s it was considered inappropriate for either men or women to appear in public without a head covering. Straw hats were worn by both men and women but the straw boater reigned supreme and was popular for men from the late 1800s until 1930.  

So for the Edwardian gentleman look – smart blazer, crisp white shirt, bow tie, and smart trousers – all topped off with a straw boater! 

Nautical style

The late 1800s and early 1900s saw a strong trend for the wearing of sailor collars and sailor suits, especially for children.  This was strongly influenced by published images of the time showing younger members of the Royal family in naval uniform. 

This little sailor suit from the early 1900s is made of striped cotton and would have been worn by a child of around 4 years of age.  The sailor style straw hat would have completed the outfit.

The fashion remained popular well into the 1930s and is still seen today in some childrens wear.

Detachable sailor collars were mass produced at the time, bringing a little bit of seaside style within the reach of most households. This one from 1910 was amongst clothing for sale in the R.J.Sloane draper’s shop at Kilkeel, now faithfully recreated in the Folk Museum. The photograph, from the late 1920s, shows a group of children in their best outfits.  The elder girl wears a light cotton dress, one of the boys wears a sailor collar and the youngest child appears to be wearing a knitted outfit. Who remembers wearing knitted swimsuits at the beach? (I seem to recall the comedian Billy Connelly’s take on this particular homespun fashion).

Adults also embraced the nautical style, with tailored suits for men. The image (below) is from a range of tailoring offered in the early 1900s by the Belfast firm of Robert McBride and Co. of Ormeau Avenue in Belfast. It was further popularised by newspaper images at the time of the eminent businessman Sir Thomas Lipton, who incidentally was a member of the Royal Ulster Yacht Club.

(Advertisement for Robert McBride and Co., Belfast)

In the 1920s it was the French fashion designer Coco Chanel who championed loose pyjama-style trousers  in jersey fabric for women, and the navy and white striped top, all influenced by what she had observed being worn by Breton sailors.  To this day, the navy and white, fine striped ‘Breton’ tee-shirt or jumper is a staple for summer seaside style.

For this look – navy and white stripes, loose navy trousers and a bit of nautical swagger. Finish the look with flat espadrilles or plimsolls. Much debate on social media recently about names for plimsolls – did you call yours ‘gutties’ or ‘mutton dummies’? And who remembers the joys of ‘jelly’ shoes for the beach that managed to be both deeply unattractive and uncomfortable at the same time?

Did you know that the traditional ‘bell bottom’ trousers worn by sailors were made this way so that they could be rolled up easily when they had to wash down or ‘swab’ the decks whilst at sea? Hopefully on July 4th the only thing you will be washing down is a nice cool drink or a cup of tea.

In the 1950s and 60s the ownership of motorcycles and cars further popularised the notion of the family day out at the seaside, complete with picnic of course.  Ready-made dresses in summer floral styles, including those made by Horrockses, were widely available in local draper’s shops and by mail order. Easter, and the traditional summer fornight’s break from work, saw many a new frock get its first public outing.

For those with dressmaking skills and a sewing machine it didn’t take too long to rustle up a new outfit for the seaside picnic.

Think dirndl skirts and waisted dresses in bright florals and polka dots – team with strappy sandals or kitten heels, a cardigan slung nonchalantly over the shoulder, small straw basket and you’re good to go!  Full make up with bright lippy, and a silk scarf on hand in case it gets breezy (let’s be honest here – none of us has seen a hairdresser in a while!).

And if you really want to go for the full vintage clothing and picnic gig here are a couple of suggestions from Woman’s Illustrated Magazine 1957 – who wouldn’t want a jam umbrella tart and a dessert that looks like the lovechild of a starfish and a tin of fruit salad?  Full marks to anyone who manages to dress in vintage style and produce a vintage-themed picnic on July 4th!

My memory of childhood seaside picnics is that they always had egg and onion sandwiches, strong tea from a tartan flask, and my gran’s homemade fruit cake. What will you have in your picnic spread?  

The 1960s saw much more of fashion aimed exclusively at the teenage or young adult market, catered for by both the mail order catalogues and chain stores such as Etams, C&A and Littlewoods.  Bangor in the 1960s was a meeting place for mods and rockers, all dressed to impress in the latest styles. Mini skirts and dresses the order of the day, denim jeans and leather jackets for the bikers among you. 

So, for this look or similar – it’s bright colours and groovy prints, hoop earrings and beehive or bob hairdo. Think Twiggy, Jean Shrimpton and Lulu. Sling back sandals or patent leather shoes in light colours, tights optional! For all the 60s- style peacocks among the men, dig out your Hawaiian print shirts, teamed with light chino trousers, or paisley patterns with cord flares – go on, you know you want too!

So, whether you decide to channel the  Victorian lady, Edwardian gent or the swinging sixties,

this is your chance to raid your wardrobe or visit your local charity shop (most are open again now) to get your own seaside vintage look together in time for Saturday 4 July. Have a look through your own family photo albums or visit the NMNI website at www.nmni.com for online access to archive images and collections for inspiration.

But remember, if you are all dressed up on the day and having a good time please do share your images on the Open House Festival site. Can’t wait to see the style – go for it!

As for myself, I may be reliving some memories of 1970s seaside outings, with a long, tiered floaty dress, wedge espadrilles and straw hat (thank you Topshop for the retro fashions this year, and online shopping in lockdown!).

Best wishes to everyone for a good day on Saturday 4 July – fingers crossed for good weather.

Valerie Wilson

Curator of Textiles

Ulster Folk Museum

Savoury cakes are very popular in France: everyone has their own version and they are served, with drinks, to guests.

They are quick and easy, adaptable and, most important, very delicious.

They’re also a great way of using up small amounts of leftover roast chicken, bacon or odd ends of cheese. You can add finely diced roasted vegetables such as beetroot, courgette or peppers, too – just stick to the proportions of flour, eggs, fat and yoghurt used here.

Ingredients

• 200ml natural yoghurt
• 250g soda bread flour
• 100g grated cheddar (or gruyere)
• 70g Feta cheese, crumbled
• 7 Tbsp light olive oil
• 2 eggs
• 150g bacon lardons or chopped streaky bacon, fried until just cooked
• 2 Tbsp chopped sundried tomatoes
• 1 heaped teaspoon of fresh thyme or dried mixed herbs/piri piri spice
• Pinch sea salt
• 10 pitted green olives, finely sliced (I used ones stuffed with pimentos for added flavour and colour)
• 6-8 pitted black olives, sliced

Method:

1. Place the flour, herbs and salt in a large bowl
2. In another bowl, whisk the eggs, yoghurt & oil together (it will come together smoothly, but it looks a bit lumpy to start).
3. Add the wet ingredients to the dry and stir with a spatula until just combined.
4. Add the rest of the ingredients, keeping the black olives, a small handful of the cheddar & a few green olives for topping.
5. Scrape the batter into either a 2lb lined loaf tine or 2 x rectangular tray bake trays, lined with parchment (reduce cooking time by 10-15 mins), smooth it off level with the back of a spoon and top with the remaining olives and cheddar cheese.
6. Bake at 170C for a good 45 minutes – until a skewer comes out clean and leave to cool for half an hour before carefully lifting it out of the tin and allowing to cool completely before slicing – even if you’re tempted to try some!

Ingredients           

• 2 skinless chicken breasts
• 10g flaked almonds
• 4 Tbsp mayonnaise
• 4 Tbsp Greek style yogurt
• 2 tsp medium curry powder
• 2 Tbsp mango chutney  
• 1 tsp Worcester sauce
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 2 x little gem lettuce, leaves separated

Method

1. Wrap chicken breasts in a tinfoil parcel with salt, pepper and a tablespoon of water – this will allow the chicken to steam and be very tender. Bake in oven at 180C for 20 minutes.
2. Set aside until cool enough to handle, shred into very small bite-size pieces then leave to cool completely.
3. Meanwhile, lightly toast the flaked almonds in a dry frying pan, and mix together the mayonnaise, yogurt, curry powder, mango chutney, Worcester sauce and some black pepper in a bowl
4. Add the chicken to the bowl and stir to coat, divide between the little gem leaves, then scatter over the toasted almonds.