The Best Costume Links Out There
If you're anything like I am about antique and vintage costumes and textiles you'll know how it is when you can't find the information you want on search engines or on the costume links pages. You'll know how annoying it is to be unable to find the answers to your queries or the images or designer information you want to know about. I've seen almost all the historical costume pages out there, both the good ones, and the dross - and believe me, there is SOME dreadful dross out there. I like sites which have interesting and informative images and the text to match - and I have included many dealer's sites in this area because they often show the most interesting pieces - and if you wish you owned this or that, well - you could!! I've also included a summary of each site alongside each URL and link.
E-mail me if there's a problem with any of these links at milord_mab@hotmail.com
Situated at the Kent State University Museum, this is under construction - but enough has been put up to suggest that this will be one of the most valuable visual reference sites out there. As well as fashionable costume of the last 300 years it features national and ethnic dress. Check back frequently - and be sure to check the Kent State University Museum homepage as well!!
This site is one of my favourites. A superb collection of designer and haute couture - including Fortuny, Schiaparelli, Dior, Balenciaga, Chanel, and many lesser known names, going back to Worth (including one of the earliest Worths known to be in existence!) is accompanied by a superb Database. The images may not be up to much (no information) but if you look up the designer's names or even the date or type of costume you want to see, you will find the captions to accompany each image. Be warned - not ALL the images have been uploaded, so choose the thumbnail option on the Database search before entering your search, to see which images you can view.
Le Garderobe
The Regency Fashion Page
Jessamyn's Regency Costume Companion
If you're - like I am - interested in the Regency period, these 3 sites are very good. I highly recommend Le Garderobe, which, as well as acting as a very good introduction to the period, was established by one of my friends, Louisa Pineault, and features among other examples, a pelisse and reticule from the Milford-Cottam collection. It also sets out as a starting point for the seamstress to reproducing Regency fashions for their own projects. The Regency Fashion Page is longer established and much more encyclopaedic. It is extremely lavishly illustrated. Jessamyn's Regency costume site is quite similar to Le Garderobe in its aims, and is also worth a look.
I remember this when it was a very sparse site with only 4 images of costume on it, but having only just rediscovered it whilst looking to see what I could offer you, I have discovered that it has blossomed. Fine, if small, images illustrate the pages, and the links gallery is up to date and interesting.
Another recent discovery. The database search facility looks promising. (Follow the Galleries link)
A search facility provides about 50 good quality images of costumes and accessories from the collection.
Disappointing, frankly. Nice images, but poor captioning and difficult to navigate. It concentrates too much on its own past and what it is doing rather than illustrating its collection. For that, see the link below. The link that was here to a Worth ballgown sadly, has become defunct, but you will find it on the site below in the Director's Choice.
I'm not sure now whether the above site is now being put to rest, but this new site is really beautiful. If your computer can't support frames or image-intensive sites, you're missing out on a true experience. It IS a stunning site - hopefully they will be putting up more images at some point, but this site is fantastic. Clear and easy to navigate and lovely to look at. Highly recommended.
Avoid like the plague if your computer connection is in any way slow or can't handle frames - otherwise don't blame me if your VDU explodes. You were warned. This site is very elaborate with lots of technical gimmicks, and a good image gallery, which will hopefully see quite a lot more updates. Look up "costume" This is just the tip of a MASSIVE iceberg.
If you ever come to England and are passing by Bath, be sure to try and visit this wonderful museum! The site does not do justice to it, really. It is well illustrated and representative, and has a database of its 18th century waistcoats. The collection is wider and far better than the images may suggest.
I was very surprised to come across this slightly worryingly-titled site, but scroll down to the exhibition link to see some nice images of a 1820 ballgown, a Garthwaite woven silk of the early 18th century, and dresses by Worth and Pingat from the Albany Institute of History and Art's "Passion for Fashion" exhibition, Small but beautiful images and nicely laid out. Don't expect it to be updated regularly.
This is THE main costume site on the Net. As such, I feel behoved to place it here, though I rarely use it. I find that the information provided is too much and too rich for sufficient appraisal, and would like it if it used more images of proper garments where appropriate. It is an enormous site. It would be greatly appreciated if it also labelled its links and told us what to expect from each link - separating the modern re-enactor's sites from the genuine history and information sites, and the good sites from the substandard and flawed ones. A huge links archive which badly needs organising. It is a shame, because some of my favourite sites were first found here, and I still rush to it in an emergency when I cannot find the links I need. It'll scare off anyone who isn't as passionate about the subject as I am. You need a lot of patience and a lot of time - and a lot of money to pay the phone bill if you live in England to get a good grasp of this site.
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