The range of sources for studying post-medieval clothing and dress are far more extensive than for earlier periods. A considerable body of texts and images providing evidence about dress in Perth and Kinross in the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries survive in local and national collections. Several complete items of clothing have also been preserved in the region – including a remarkable cream silk doublet, probably dating from the 1620s, which is now in the collections of Perth Museum (Payne et al 2011). The museum also holds the Glover’s Dance Dress, an important example of local ceremonial costume. A unique survival, it brings together elements spanning the 17th to the 19th centuries, because of its onoing place in town ceremonies. Notably, it was worn when the Glover Incorporation performed a sword dance on a floating platform in the River Tay in front of Charles I to celebrate his recent coronation in Edinburgh (Payne 1984; Bennett 1985).
Nevertheless, archaeological techniques do still have a significant contribution to make regarding our understanding of what the post-medieval residents of Perth and Kinross used to wear. The role of archaeology is especially significant regarding the costume of less privileged sections of society. Whilst written and visual sources provide valuable insights into the clothing of Scottish elites, how poorer people and more remote communities dressed is much less documented. Further research into the dress of the non-elite residents of Perth and Kinross, particularly during the 17th and 18th centuries should be a priority. Although most clothes are likely to be poorly preserved in the archaeological record, even small items such as pins, buttons and brooches can provide invaluable clues as to prevailing styles of dress. In particular, comparative study of the attire prevalent in lowland and upland communities in Perth and Kinross would be desirable. Efforts to trace the impact of globalisation and mass-production on clothing in the region might also prove illuminating.