We can't be the only ones doing this!

Many institutions have collections of vintage clothing that have been entrusted to their care.  Below is a list of others who have collections.  We are grateful to have such a wide array of places to glean information and are especially thankful to those who have personally taken time to answer our e-mails or phone calls.  They have served as an inspiration to our efforts. 

Do you have a favorite online collection?  Post it in a comment below!

Museum Collections

·      The Mint Museum, Charlotte, NC

 http://www.mintmuseum.org/historic-costume-collection.html

·      Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia, PA

http://www.philamuseum.org/research/22-398-552-440.html?page=1

·      Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, WI

http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/museum/collections/online/

University Affiliated Collections with online galleries/museums

·      Kent State University Museum

Kent State— http://dept.kent.edu/museum/

Care of the Clothing-- http://dept.kent.edu/museum/staff/care.html

·      Goldstien Museum of Design

Recently awarded prestigious grant to digitize its collection from the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS)

University of Minnesota-- http://goldstein.che.umn.edu/

·      Cornell Costume and Textile Collection

Cornell University College of Human Ecology—Fiber Science and Apparel Design

http://www.human.cornell.edu/che/fsad/cctc.cfm

·      Drexel Digital Media Project:  Historic Costume Collection

Drexel University-- http://digimuse.cis.drexel.edu/

·      Historical Costume and Textile Collection

Ohio State University-- http://costume.osu.edu/

·      KSU Historical Costume and Textile Museum

Kansas State University-- http://www.aeshm.hs.iastate.edu/exhibits/

·      The Textile Costume Museum

Louisiana State University School of Human Ecology-- http://www.textilemuseum.huec.lsu.edu/

·      Robert Hillestad Textiles Gallery

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Textiles, Clothing and Design Department

http://textilegallery.unl.edu/

University of Rhode Island Historical Textile and Costume Collection

http://www.uri.edu/hss/tmd/On-line%20Catalog.htm

All descriptions are based on student research—“ his catalog is different from many others in that the text attempts to provide historical context for the artifacts.”

·      Mary Alice Gallery

Highlights from current gallery shows, not online gallery to browse

Iowa State University-- http://www.aeshm.hs.iastate.edu/exhibits/

·      Digital Dress—200 years of Style

Online image gallery

Wayne State University-- http://www.lib.wayne.edu/resources/digital/collections.php

The Henry Ford Historic Costume Collection

Wayne State University-- http://dlxs.lib.wayne.edu/cgi/i/image/image-idx?page=index;c=hfhcc;g=costumegroupic

·      Elizabeth Sage Historic Costume Collection

Department of Apparel Merchandising and Interior Design

Indiana University-- http://www.indiana.edu/~sagecoll/

·      Historical Textiles and Apparel Collection

University of Texas—Austin http://www.he.utexas.edu/txa/txacoll.php

·      Costume Collection at the College of Tropical and Human Resources

University of Hawai’i-- http://www2.ctahr.hawaii.edu/costume

This dress exemplifies 1920s style.  The straight silhouette and airy cream colored china silk with a heavier trip application are perfect examples of what was popular during this time.  This dress is made of cream colored china silk.  The lightweight fabric is accented with 8 hand embroidered medallions.  Leading up to each medallion and around each sleeve is two parallel bands of 7/8" wide single fold bias tape made out of the china silk.  The two bands have a 1/4" gap in the middle where you can see a detail that looks like a ladder created by extra threads wrapped together.

The decorative medallion shapes are 2" across with silk threads embroidered on a stiffened cotton background.  

The collar is made of cotton organdy with cross stitching.  The collar is bound with cotton bias binding and hand-stitched into the neckline.  This is something you very commonly find in dresses that have small side or shoulder openings.  It allows the wearer to easily clean the part of the garment that got dirtiest.  Removable collars are more common in men's clothing. 

Some stats:  

Chest measurement:  40"

Waist measurement:  40"

Length (neck to hemline):  42"
Opening:  2 1/2" placket on the right shoulder that closes with 3 Size 0 snaps.