Silver Meeting

Though Katherine Howard is normally associated with bright, feminine colours, this one is more subtle. Tamzin Merchant wears it as Katherine Howard on "the Tudors". The skirt and the petticoat are both rather simple (the petticoat being sewn with silver thread) but the main focus is definitely on the bodice. Even the sleeves are completely without any decorations. But let's take a closer look at that bodice. A beautiful mixture of embroiderings with thread and pearls makes the motive literally stand out from the otherwise completely flat form of the bodice. Frills of ivory pearls hangs from the bodice and drops down in front of the very top of the skirt. The white pearls are used on the bodice alone - probably to add some change to the usage of golden/beige thread. It is worth noticing that the bodice is made of velvet while the skirt is made of satin.

Close-up of the bodice

Kitty's Purple Gown

Angela Pleasence portrays Katherine Howard in BBC's "Six Wives of Henry VIII" from 1970. This costume is based on the Toledo portrait of the doomed fifth Queen of Henry VIII.
The gown itself is of dark purple damask and the collar (that appears to be of a black fabric) is stiffened in order to make the collar stand up and frame the face. Also, the collar itself has been lined with white silk that contrasts the dark colours of the gown. The petticoat is wine-red.
The main focus of the gown is the beautiful pendant fastened at the middle of the bodice. The ruby matches the petticoat and the drop-pearl lights up the outfit.
Although her head is not a part of the photograph to the right, "Katherine" is wearing a French hood in the same cream colour of the lining of the collar.

    

Toledo portrait