National Museum of Flight, East Fortune Airfield, East Lothian 01620 897 240
www.nms.ac.uk/flight Imagine how difficult it would be to fly a plane in this bulky garment. The coastal command jackets wer
e different from other RAF jackets, with bright yellow hoods that made pilots easy to spot if they were unlucky enough to end up in the sea. It has no pockets, as these might have been caught when the pilot bailed out.
2 VICTORIAN CORSETSNational Museum of Costume, Shambellie House, New Abbey, Dumfriesshire 01387 850 375
www.nms.ac.uk/costume These replica corsets, made as copies of similar garments in the collection, give you a real sense of what it must have been like for women in the past. There are examples for children and ladies size 10-14, 16-20 and 22-26. Gentlemen are very welcome to try them on too and often do.
3 HIGHLANDER'S FEATHER BONNETNational War Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh Castle 0131-247 4413
www.nms.ac.uk/war Look fearsome in this replica Highland soldier's ostrich feather bonnet. Highlanders started adding feathers to knitted hats in the 1700s. Despite looking impractical the clever design offers protection from blows and makes you look bigger, while still being cool, ventilated and lightweight. See if you can find the hidden pocket.
4 16TH-CENTURY OUTFITSNational Museum of Scotland Discovery Zone, Chambers Street Edinburgh 0131-225 7534
www.nms.ac.uk/scotland Look the part and feel the part, dressed as a noble family from the time of Mary, Queen of Scots. These replica garments for adults and children (aged 2-4, 5-8 and 10-12) are beautifully crafted from rich velvet, satin and brocade, giving you a true sense of the period.
5 GEORGIAN OUTFITSNational Museum of Scotland Discovery Zone, Chambers Street Edinburgh 0131-225 7534
www.nms.ac.uk/scotland Listen to music of the period as you and your family dress for the 18th century. Ladies, why not try the everyday "undress" – a stylish jacket that would have been worn as our equivalent to casual-wear. It was never seen outside the home. Gentlemen, you can button up in a magnificent man's coat and tricorn hat.
• Sarah Saunders is learning and programmes officer at National Museums Scotland
The full article contains 399 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
