General Information » Culture & Lifestyle » National Dress

Unlike the Scottish, who have kilts, the English don’t really have a traditional national dress. In fact, during one Miss World pageant the English contestant came out wearing a beefeater’s costume in honour of the Tower of London’s famous guards, such is the lack of a fitting alternative. However, due to the city’s multicultural mix, it’s common to see residents wearing the national dress of their native countries – although Jack Straw, Leader of the House of Commons, prompted strong debate in 2006 by stating that he would prefer Muslim women not to wear full veils as it was a ’visible statement of separation and difference’.