0:00:00 > 0:00:00- 888
0:00:00 > 0:00:05- In this programme, a wardrobe - steeped in history in Aberystwyth.
0:00:06 > 0:00:11- We look at image, clothes and bags - with a solicitor from Cardiff.
0:00:13 > 0:00:17- Finally, a man who dresses - to stand out from the crowd.
0:00:24 > 0:00:26- 888
0:00:31 > 0:00:33- 888
0:00:37 > 0:00:39- 888
0:00:45 > 0:00:47- 888
0:00:51 > 0:00:56- Ready-made clothes were quite rare, - so Mam made all our clothes.
0:00:57 > 0:00:59- I hated fittings - but it was unavoidable.
0:01:01 > 0:01:05- My sister and I thought - we had to make our own clothes, too.
0:01:06 > 0:01:10- I then realised - I could buy clothes from a shop...
0:01:11 > 0:01:15- ..without - having to bother with dressmaking.
0:01:25 > 0:01:29- Author and nationalist Mari Ellis - married Tom Ellis in 1949.
0:01:29 > 0:01:31- She was 35 years old, at the time.
0:01:33 > 0:01:36- Her wardrobe is full of memories - of her life with Tom.
0:01:37 > 0:01:39- Her clothes - are an echo of a bygone age.
0:01:41 > 0:01:45- Is there a certain period - upon which you look back...
0:01:45 > 0:01:48- ..with particularly fond memories?
0:01:48 > 0:01:50- Yes, indeed.
0:01:50 > 0:01:55- I would say the late 1950s - and the early 1960s.
0:01:55 > 0:02:00- You could wear - what I would call feminine clothes.
0:02:01 > 0:02:05- The clothes were well-cut...
0:02:05 > 0:02:07- ..and they were also - extremely beautiful.
0:02:09 > 0:02:11- That's the period I would choose.
0:02:11 > 0:02:15- I kept some of the dresses - I wore during that period...
0:02:15 > 0:02:17- ..because they're so pretty.
0:02:18 > 0:02:20- They'll never - come back into fashion...
0:02:20 > 0:02:24- ..but I wouldn't dream - of throwing them away.
0:02:47 > 0:02:51- I've laid everything out for you, - so you can see them all.
0:02:52 > 0:02:56- Great. You took them all - out of the wardrobes for me.
0:02:56 > 0:02:58- Where shall we begin?
0:02:58 > 0:03:01- Where shall we begin?- - With my wedding dress.
0:03:01 > 0:03:04- This is the dress I wore - when I got married.
0:03:04 > 0:03:06- It had a train, at that time.
0:03:07 > 0:03:09- I also wore a short veil.
0:03:10 > 0:03:15- Why did you wear a blue dress, - rather than a traditional white one?
0:03:17 > 0:03:18- I thought I was too old.
0:03:19 > 0:03:22- I'd be mutton dressed as lamb - in a white dress.
0:03:22 > 0:03:26- And also, - I couldn't wear a white dress again.
0:03:27 > 0:03:29- Once the train had been removed...
0:03:30 > 0:03:34- ..I could wear it to dinner parties - or on special occasions.
0:03:34 > 0:03:37- I wore it to various functions...
0:03:37 > 0:03:40- ..at which my husband - was guest of honour.
0:03:55 > 0:03:58- What about your sister's - wedding dress?
0:03:58 > 0:04:00- My mother made her wedding dress.
0:04:00 > 0:04:03- It was white satin.
0:04:04 > 0:04:07- She got married in 1937.
0:04:09 > 0:04:12- My mother worked on the dress - for a fortnight.
0:04:12 > 0:04:16- The only things professionally made - were the buttons.
0:04:17 > 0:04:21- There's something like 30 buttons - right down the back.
0:04:21 > 0:04:23- They were professionally made.
0:04:24 > 0:04:26- She did everything else herself.
0:04:30 > 0:04:32- Tell me about this one.
0:04:33 > 0:04:37- I bought this when the Queen - visited Aberystwyth...
0:04:37 > 0:04:40- ..to open an extension - to the Library.
0:04:40 > 0:04:44- Tom was the chairman - of some committee or other...
0:04:44 > 0:04:47- ..so we were - to be introduced to her.
0:04:49 > 0:04:53- We spent a whole day - clothes shopping in Shrewsbury...
0:04:53 > 0:04:55- ..but we came home empty-handed.
0:04:56 > 0:05:00- We came home, to Aberystwyth, - and went to the Alison Coates shop.
0:05:00 > 0:05:03- They had this dress in stock.
0:05:06 > 0:05:09- It was perfect - and it fitted like a glove.
0:05:10 > 0:05:13- This is the hat I wore with it.
0:05:16 > 0:05:18- A straw hat.
0:05:21 > 0:05:24- I felt this was historical...
0:05:24 > 0:05:27- ..and that it was worth keeping it.
0:05:27 > 0:05:29- I don't know - what will become of them...
0:05:29 > 0:05:31- ..after my day.
0:05:47 > 0:05:51- The famous Liberal, Tom Ellis, - was her father-in-law.
0:05:51 > 0:05:55- He was MP for Merionethshire - in Victorian times.
0:05:58 > 0:06:00- What's this, in the Harrods box?
0:06:03 > 0:06:05- This was the going-away suit...
0:06:09 > 0:06:11- ..worn by Tom's mother - - Mrs Tom Ellis.
0:06:12 > 0:06:15- She wore it in 1898.
0:06:15 > 0:06:17- When she wore this...
0:06:17 > 0:06:22- ..what did her husband, - Tom Ellis MP, wear?
0:06:23 > 0:06:27- What you see there - are parts of his Windsor uniform.
0:06:27 > 0:06:32- They wore those when they went - to see Queen Victoria.
0:06:33 > 0:06:37- There was a uniform here but it - hadn't been kept in good condition.
0:06:37 > 0:06:39- We had to throw it away.
0:06:39 > 0:06:44- It hadn't stood the ravages of time, - in its box.
0:06:44 > 0:06:49- The sword and the hat - are still in good condition.
0:07:14 > 0:07:18- This was my husband's gown, - when he was a young child.
0:07:22 > 0:07:25- His mother - had kept this little gown.
0:07:26 > 0:07:28- She passed this down, to you?
0:07:28 > 0:07:31- Well, it was here when I moved in.
0:07:31 > 0:07:32- She'd kept it safely.
0:07:33 > 0:07:35- Look at this tiny cap.
0:07:36 > 0:07:41- It's incredible to think of such - a tall man in such tiny clothes.
0:07:43 > 0:07:47- Nowadays, I keep everything - connected with Tom...
0:07:47 > 0:07:49- ..since I lost him.
0:07:50 > 0:07:53- He meant so very much to me.
0:08:01 > 0:08:06- I like to feel well turned out - and I like my hair to be neat.
0:08:09 > 0:08:13- I always wear a hat, - other than on hot, summer days.
0:08:13 > 0:08:16- The top of my head feels the cold.
0:08:27 > 0:08:31- People today - think they've done their hair...
0:08:31 > 0:08:35- ..but they look absolutely awful.
0:08:35 > 0:08:39- I see pictures of them in the paper, - with their hair all over the place.
0:08:40 > 0:08:42- I wouldn't say it hurts me...
0:08:42 > 0:08:48- ..but it worries me that society has - let itself get into such decline.
0:09:03 > 0:09:03- 888
0:09:03 > 0:09:05- 888- - 888
0:09:08 > 0:09:10- 888
0:09:15 > 0:09:17- 888
0:09:22 > 0:09:24- 888
0:09:32 > 0:09:34- 888
0:09:40 > 0:09:42- 888
0:09:44 > 0:09:47- I think I'm a confident person...
0:09:47 > 0:09:50- ..but clothes, shoes and bags - help me along.
0:09:58 > 0:10:00- Siriol lives the urban life.
0:10:00 > 0:10:04- She lives in a contemporary flat, - she drives a cool car...
0:10:04 > 0:10:07- ..and she dresses to impress.
0:10:07 > 0:10:12- She's training to be a barrister - but she'd stand out in any bar!
0:10:23 > 0:10:26- Did you have a favourite dress, - as a little girl?
0:10:26 > 0:10:29- Did you enjoy wearing dresses - and going out?
0:10:30 > 0:10:34- I did ballet, - so I wore tutus and danced in shows.
0:10:35 > 0:10:38- It was an integral part - of my childhood.
0:10:39 > 0:10:45- I was always in my school shows - and I enjoyed dressing up.
0:10:47 > 0:10:50- I loved having a nose - in my mother's wardrobe.
0:10:50 > 0:10:52- I had fun with those things.
0:10:53 > 0:10:56- When I was young, - I was quite chubby.
0:10:57 > 0:11:00- When I reached my teens, - I really shot up.
0:11:03 > 0:11:07- That's when I realised - I could wear all sorts of clothes.
0:11:07 > 0:11:11- I didn't have enough confidence, - prior to that.
0:11:13 > 0:11:15- You're very tall, aren't you?
0:11:16 > 0:11:19- Does that mean - you use that to your advantage?
0:11:19 > 0:11:21- Do you wear high heels?
0:11:21 > 0:11:25- There are so many pairs - of beautiful shoes in the world.
0:11:25 > 0:11:29- I think it would be a shame - not to wear high heels...
0:11:29 > 0:11:31- ..just because I'm tall.
0:11:31 > 0:11:35- I do go out and buy high heels - and I enjoy wearing them.
0:11:36 > 0:11:38- They also work wonders on the legs.
0:11:39 > 0:11:41- They tighten them, of course.
0:11:41 > 0:11:44- Why should I miss out, - just because I'm tall?
0:11:45 > 0:11:47- I love wearing high heels, - so why not?
0:12:14 > 0:12:16- I keep all my clothes in here.
0:12:18 > 0:12:20- The coats and jackets are here.
0:12:20 > 0:12:22- These are my work clothes.
0:12:22 > 0:12:26- This section is for shopping - or for staying in the flat.
0:12:26 > 0:12:29- The rest of it is my party wear.
0:12:29 > 0:12:33- It's really important, - as I live in the heart of town.
0:12:33 > 0:12:36- The party wear - is the biggest section, too.
0:12:36 > 0:12:38- Yes - definitely!
0:12:40 > 0:12:44- And, of course, the piece - de resistance - the handbags.
0:12:46 > 0:12:48- This was my first handbag.
0:12:48 > 0:12:52- My father bought it for me, - when he went to California.
0:12:52 > 0:12:54- This kick-started my habit.
0:12:54 > 0:12:59- He gave this to me and I knew - I had to have a collection of them.
0:13:00 > 0:13:04- I went to New York - and bought another one.
0:13:04 > 0:13:06- I like the colours...
0:13:06 > 0:13:11- ..and I love the fact they - look stylish, when I'm out shopping.
0:13:11 > 0:13:14- I think the LV is my favourite.
0:13:16 > 0:13:18- Tell me about this Prada bag.
0:13:18 > 0:13:20- Tell me about this Prada bag.- - I bought that in a sale.
0:13:20 > 0:13:22- It's my one and only Prada.
0:13:22 > 0:13:26- I keep the dust bags, to make sure - they don't lose their shape.
0:13:26 > 0:13:29- I bought that in a Flannels sale.
0:13:29 > 0:13:31- It was quite a bargain.
0:13:31 > 0:13:32- I paid 425 for it.
0:13:32 > 0:13:34- I paid 425 for it.- - Did you say 425?!
0:13:34 > 0:13:36- Yes - it's a Prada bag.
0:13:38 > 0:13:40- I treated myself, in the sale.
0:13:40 > 0:13:42- It's wonderful to the touch.
0:13:42 > 0:13:46- The leather is exquisite - and the colour is great, too.
0:13:46 > 0:13:49- I was pleased - with that little purchase.
0:13:49 > 0:13:53- If this was 425 in the sale, - how much were these?
0:13:53 > 0:13:54- Do you mind me asking?
0:13:55 > 0:13:56- How much was this?
0:13:56 > 0:13:58- How much was this?- - That was another little indulgence.
0:13:59 > 0:14:01- I wanted a plain bag, for work.
0:14:01 > 0:14:03- It's a Luella.
0:14:03 > 0:14:08- If I remember rightly, I think - I paid 595 for that. Sorry, Mam!
0:14:08 > 0:14:10- It's a really nice bag.
0:14:11 > 0:14:14- The leather is sturdy, - so it's good for work.
0:14:15 > 0:14:17- Was that convincing?
0:14:45 > 0:14:48- The bag is important, - so what about the clothes?
0:14:48 > 0:14:53- If you spend that much on bags, - you must spend a fortune on clothes.
0:14:53 > 0:14:55- No, I don't, really.
0:14:55 > 0:14:57- I tend to shop in Top Shop - and Oasis.
0:14:58 > 0:15:00- I also love Zara, at the moment.
0:15:00 > 0:15:03- Their coats and trousers - are really tailored.
0:15:04 > 0:15:05- It's a good look for work.
0:15:07 > 0:15:10- I have a few D&G items - and this is by Pringle.
0:15:10 > 0:15:12- Generally, - I shop in Next and Oasis.
0:15:13 > 0:15:15- I'm a high street chick.
0:15:15 > 0:15:18- How would you describe your style?
0:15:18 > 0:15:19- Trendy?
0:15:21 > 0:15:25- For work, I wear tailored trousers - and nice jumpers.
0:15:26 > 0:15:29- I also wear long coats, - in this cold weather.
0:15:30 > 0:15:34- I'll wear a short jacket, like this, - for work.
0:15:34 > 0:15:36- It's quite funky. - Look at the detail.
0:15:37 > 0:15:39- I also wear this, from Zara.
0:15:39 > 0:15:40- I love this.
0:15:41 > 0:15:44- It's a long coat, with a buckle.
0:15:44 > 0:15:46- It's quite nice.
0:15:48 > 0:15:51- For evenings out, - I'll wear pretty little dresses.
0:15:53 > 0:15:55- That's from Warehouse.
0:15:56 > 0:16:00- This is H&M and I like it because - it's a vintage, feminine look.
0:16:00 > 0:16:05- It looks great with heels - and my Fendi bag.
0:16:38 > 0:16:40- What about the total image?
0:16:40 > 0:16:43- You live in a nice flat, - you drive a nice car.
0:16:44 > 0:16:45- You go out to nice places.
0:16:46 > 0:16:48- Are clothes just a part of that?
0:16:48 > 0:16:49- Yes, I think so.
0:16:51 > 0:16:54- I like to do nice things - and I enjoy spending money.
0:16:55 > 0:16:58- I love it - when people spend money on me!
0:16:58 > 0:17:00- It's all part of the image.
0:17:00 > 0:17:03- The important thing - is that I'm happy.
0:17:03 > 0:17:06- If I'm happy with my image - - that's it, really.
0:17:06 > 0:17:08- I love being spoilt.
0:17:08 > 0:17:10- You're searching for a rich man.
0:17:10 > 0:17:12- You're searching for a rich man.- - Yes and I want him now!
0:17:41 > 0:17:42- Everyone knows Gwil.
0:17:42 > 0:17:47- Ask on the streets and in the pubs - and everyone knows me.
0:18:06 > 0:18:09- I lived in a village - called Bwlchllan.
0:18:09 > 0:18:14- There was a 'Best Dressed' - competition at the local carnival.
0:18:14 > 0:18:18- I asked my neighbour - to enter the competition, with me.
0:18:18 > 0:18:23- She agreed - and we went as 'A Couple At Ascot'.
0:18:24 > 0:18:26- She wore the suit - and I wore the dress.
0:18:27 > 0:18:28- Great!
0:18:28 > 0:18:30- I must have been - eight or nine years old.
0:18:31 > 0:18:34- You remember thinking, - "Oh! This is great!"?
0:18:36 > 0:18:38- Yes. - I think I enjoyed the attention.
0:18:39 > 0:18:41- I think that's still true.
0:19:00 > 0:19:03- Were there times, - when you were growing up...
0:19:03 > 0:19:08- ..when other people were - more prudish than they are today?
0:19:09 > 0:19:13- Yes. People would shout at me - and call me names.
0:19:15 > 0:19:19- The louder people shouted, - the more outrageous I became.
0:19:22 > 0:19:26- In the end, people got bored with it - and they left me alone.
0:19:27 > 0:19:30- I shared a house - with a friend of mine.
0:19:30 > 0:19:34- People assumed we were partners - but we weren't.
0:19:34 > 0:19:38- He dressed up, too, - and we'd head to Cardiff or Swansea.
0:19:38 > 0:19:40- We went to Manchester, too.
0:19:41 > 0:19:43- We dressed up and hit the clubs.
0:19:44 > 0:19:45- It was good fun.
0:19:46 > 0:19:47- Fond memories?
0:19:47 > 0:19:49- Fond memories?- - Yes, very much so.
0:19:52 > 0:19:53- There you go.
0:19:53 > 0:19:54- There you go.- - Wow!
0:19:55 > 0:19:56- Look at that!
0:19:56 > 0:19:58- Gwilym, you're really tall.
0:19:58 > 0:20:00- How do you find dresses to fit you?
0:20:00 > 0:20:02- How do you find dresses to fit you?- - I find them. Don't you worry.
0:20:03 > 0:20:05- Do you order them from a specialist?
0:20:05 > 0:20:07- Do you order them from a specialist?- - No, not at all.
0:20:08 > 0:20:11- This belonged to a lady I know - who went on cruises.
0:20:11 > 0:20:15- She'd only wear these dresses - once or twice.
0:20:15 > 0:20:19- I had to add the bottom section - because it wasn't long enough.
0:20:19 > 0:20:21- You added this part? I see.
0:20:22 > 0:20:25- Where would you go, in this dress?
0:20:25 > 0:20:29- I'd feel overdressed - if I wore this dress in Aberystwyth!
0:20:29 > 0:20:31- It's such a glamorous dress.
0:20:32 > 0:20:33- No, you'd be fine.
0:20:33 > 0:20:36- I've got one in your size in here.
0:21:02 > 0:21:06- I couldn't wear that - and you're much taller than me!
0:21:07 > 0:21:10- Gwilym, where does that come on you?
0:21:12 > 0:21:14- It just about hides your bum.
0:21:14 > 0:21:16- It just about hides your bum.- - There's a slit in it, too!
0:21:17 > 0:21:19- Do you wear tights with it?
0:21:19 > 0:21:22- Do you wear tights with it?- - Stockings or knee-high boots.
0:21:22 > 0:21:24- To keep you warm?
0:21:24 > 0:21:25- To keep you warm?- - Yes.
0:21:26 > 0:21:27- These are fantastic.
0:21:29 > 0:21:30- May I try one?
0:21:30 > 0:21:31- May I try one?- - Go on, then.
0:21:32 > 0:21:33- It will be massive on me.
0:21:35 > 0:21:37- They're miles too big.
0:21:37 > 0:21:38- They're miles too big.- - Yes.
0:21:40 > 0:21:42- You can't close the wardrobe...
0:21:42 > 0:21:47- ..without telling me about that - red bit of PVC that's sticking out.
0:21:49 > 0:21:50- This?
0:21:54 > 0:21:56- I daren't ask where it goes!
0:21:58 > 0:22:01- There's more to it than that. - Hold on!
0:22:07 > 0:22:09- Do these fit you?
0:22:09 > 0:22:12- Yes, with a little bit - of persuasion.
0:22:12 > 0:22:14- Squeeze it all in.
0:22:14 > 0:22:17- These wouldn't fit me. - More power to you.
0:22:17 > 0:22:19- Try them on.
0:22:46 > 0:22:51- People are worried sick about - what their parents might say...
0:22:51 > 0:22:53- ..or what the neighbours - might think.
0:22:55 > 0:22:56- They shouldn't worry.
0:22:57 > 0:23:02- If you feel content in yourself, - who cares what other people say?
0:23:03 > 0:23:04- It's your life...
0:23:05 > 0:23:07- ..not your family's life - or your neighbours' life.
0:23:08 > 0:23:13- Do as you please, as long as - you're not hurting other people.
0:23:15 > 0:23:19- I've been beaten up - because I'm gay and dress like this.
0:23:21 > 0:23:24- The more people behaved like that, - the more outrageous I became.
0:23:24 > 0:23:26- But I've pulled through.
0:23:26 > 0:23:28- Live your life.
0:23:28 > 0:23:29- You only get one chance.
0:24:16 > 0:24:18- S4C subtitles by Eirlys A Jones