Molly Dance Costume

Molly dancers were farmworkers who used to dress up and go out on Plough Monday to beg for money. They used to black their faces with soot, fenland mud or even boot polish as a disguise. Today we ask our molly dancing children to disguise their faces with smudges of face paint which we normally provide.

Molly dancers decorated whatever clothes they could find in an elaborate fashion. We ask our kids to provide brightly coloured costumes consisting of clothes they wouldn't normally wear together. A riotous mismatch of colours and styles.

• A hat that doesn’t fall off – almost any hat will do as long as it fits, please note that bells will be removed from jesters hats! Plain hats can be decorated.
• Ideally a brightly coloured top and/or waistcoat – different colours or patterns that clash are good.
• Skirt, britches or trousers – again ideally brightly coloured or patterned. If skirts are worn they should not be too long or too short and tight. There are no gender rules – girls can wear trousers or boys skirts!
• Patterned or brightly coloured socks or tights if possible – stripy socks/tights/football socks are popular.
• Sturdy shoes – ideally boots (walking boots maybe) or supportive/clumpy shoes or trainers.