#fashionmuseumbath
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katestrasdin.bsky.social
I’d love to see this gown in action. The flocked velvet spotted net must have been a blur of burgundy, the skirt in exuberant flow from the waist and all the control of the bodice. It is an early #1960s design by Hardy Amies #fashionmuseumbath #FashionHistory 🗃️🪡
A long full skirted strapless burgundy ballgown consisting of a fitted bodice that sits above a layered spotted net skirt
June 21, 2025 at 9:30 PM
katestrasdin.bsky.social
This dress is just crying out for a dance floor upon which to twirl. The pleats, fluted edges and tiers of fabric are bluebell like, a disco belle blooming on a summer’s evening. John Bates for Jean Varon, 1973 #FashionMuseumBath #FashionHistory 🗃️🪡
A dusky blue halter neck evening dress consisting of vertical pleats that have been arranged in four tiers of increasing width from shoulder to floor
June 6, 2026 at 8:26 PM
katestrasdin.bsky.social
I find historic shoes fascinating mainly because they are dinky & I have enormous hobbit feet. School shoe shopping was beset by drama, no patent pumps for me but sturdy lace ups. These late #1890s sparkly shoes are like little gems #FashionMuseumBath #FashionHistory 🗃️🪡
Aerial view of a pair of purple silk evening shoes with low heel. The top is embellished with pink beads and rhinestone buckles. The lining engraved in gold lettering gives the name of Parisian firm Maxen Gantiez
September 10, 2025 at 10:31 AM
katestrasdin.bsky.social
There is a vaguely seaside theme to this busy mid #1870s gown, deckchair stripes and sea blue trim a cheery combination. I wonder if it was a promenade dress for some beach front strolling? #fashionmuseumbath #FashionHistory 🗃️🪡
Three quarter view of a pale blue and white striped dress with long bustle skirt, a square neckline and an apron style draped front. The edges are trimmed with pale blue pleated silk
June 19, 2025 at 8:53 AM
katestrasdin.bsky.social
Lavish trimmings are unnecessary when you have a fabric as lushly verdant as this #1740s damask. The pattern is apparent in the weave of the cloth and added interest created through the ruching and gathering techniques #fashionmuseumbath #FashionHistory 🗃️🪡
Sleeve detail of a rich green damask dress with three quarter sleeves ruched and ruffled at the elbow length cuffs Back view of the green damask dress showing the close fitting bodice and long full skirt
March 25, 2025 at 9:44 AM
katestrasdin.bsky.social
Frost had muted the colours of the landscape this morning on #Dartmoor, cloaking everything in a pale and wintry light. It reminded me of the Regency fondness for a bright underdress softened with a white lace layer. Princess Charlotte dress c1805 #FashionMuseumBath #FashionHistory 🗃️🪡
A blue silk empire line dress with short sleeves and a long train with a white lace overdress A photograph of a winter landscape with frosty grass, low sun, blue sky and a moorland tor in the distance A photograph of Dartmoor with a granite rock, pale blue sky and two long shadows over the frosty grass
December 31, 2025 at 3:03 PM
katestrasdin.bsky.social
I remember seeing this dress at close quarters during a research fellowship at the Fashion Museum in Bath many years ago. The oak leaves and acorns are subtly outlined in silk cord and chenille, the whole a vision in pale buttery yellow. House of Worth c1903 #FashionMuseumBath #FashionHistory 🗃️🪡
Full length front view of a pale yellow early 1900s evening ensemble with short sleeved bodice and long skirt. Both bodice and skirt are embellished with the outline of oak leaves and acorn motifs couched across the surface A bodice detail of the yellow early 1900s evening dress that highlights the chenille embroidered oak leaves and acorns
April 7, 2026 at 10:37 AM
katestrasdin.bsky.social
It’s publication day in the USA!! I am so lucky to have this lovely looking edition by @pegasusbooks.bsky.social & I hope my American friends enjoy! Queen Alexandra’s c1910 Doeuillet dress #FashionMuseumBath feels suitably spectacular. Thanks for all of the lovely support here #FashionHistory 🗃️🪡
Front view of a purple chiffon evening dress with short metallic lace trimmed sleeves. It is covered with scrolling goldwork embroidery Back view of the c1910 purple chiffon evening dress which highlights the train at the back also covered with goldwork embroidery The cover of the US edition of my book Dressing the Queen which is published today!
September 1, 2026 at 1:53 PM
katestrasdin.bsky.social
There is beautiful asymmetry to the stylised embroidered irises of this #1890s evening gown. They grow from the hem in haphazard fashion, sparkling with the raindrop shine of rhinestones. Made by court dressmaker Florence Shaw #fashionmuseumbath #FashionHistory 🗃️🪡
Front view of a pink silk two piece evening dress showing embroidered irises across the centre front of the bodice and from the hem of the skirt Back view of the two piece evening dress showing fullness of the skirt gathered centre back falling to a short train
January 27, 2025 at 12:21 PM
katestrasdin.bsky.social
Let’s have some drama to lift a gloomy day (it is wet and windy here, standard Devon springtime) so #1890s pink and black should do the trick. The bias stripes are matched in symmetrical Vs and neat black buttons punctuate the bodice #FashionMuseumBath #FashionHistory 🗃️🪡
Front view of a pale pink silk dress with long full sleeves. Black stripes run vertically down the skirt and sleeve and diagonally across the bodice. It has a black lace collar and deep black cuffs Back view of the pale pink silk dress which shows the mitred arrangement of the black stripes which dovetail together at the centre back of the skirt and bodice
May 19, 2026 at 9:18 AM
katestrasdin.bsky.social
Sunshine in cape form, a late #1890s superhero in silk moiré and chiffon ensuring the wearer cannot possibly be missed. The dogs are enjoying a bit of warmth as well of course #FashionMuseumBath #FashionHistory 🗃️🪡
A short yellow silk moiré cape that has a high ruffled collar and a frill of pleated chiffon that falls from the shoulders. There is additional decorative trimming around the neck Side view of the short yellow 1890s cape that demonstrates how the pleated chiffon frill falls over the moiré silk A close up of some of the additional decorative trimming around the neck of the 1890s yellow cape A photograph of my two dogs, Bracken the spaniel and Vincent the daschund basking in the sunshine together
March 18, 2026 at 11:25 AM
katestrasdin.bsky.social
There is still an echo of the military styling favoured in womenswear in the early decades of the c19th. This late #1820s buff cotton riding habit is unembellished save for the rows of decorative buttons across the bodice #FashionMuseumBath #FashionHistory 🗃️🪡
Partial view of a late 1820s cotton riding habit with a turn down collar and sleeve puffs sitting low on the sloping shoulder. There are decorative buttons running diagonally down the bodice Full length view of the buff coloured cotton riding habit with puff sleeves and long trailing skirt Back view of the buff coloured cotton riding habit showing the fullness that has been gathered into the waist centre back
May 16, 2026 at 11:01 AM
katestrasdin.bsky.social
This is chic and slinky. A #1930s Molyneux evening ensemble blends the tailored with the altogether softer chiffon blouse. The tailoring is made more playful by the beaded collar and the peep of a ruffled cuff #FashionMuseumBath #FashionHistory 🗃️🪡
Side by side image of a black skirt suit ensemble. The jacket is short and fitted and the skirt is straight and long. The collar lapels are beaded. Beneath the jacket is a royal blue crossover chiffon blouse with ruffled cuffs A partial view of the 1930s Molyneux ensemble that shows the fitted long sleeved black evening jacket with beaded collar A partial view of the Molyneux ensemble with the jacket removed showing the royal blue chiffon crossover blouse beneath
July 8, 2026 at 9:24 PM
katestrasdin.bsky.social
The effect of the silver fern like brocade against white creates a fabric that glistens with dew tipped foliage. It clings here and gathers there in tweaks and folds. Designed by Schiaparelli in 1937 #FashionMuseumBath #FashionHistory 🗃️🪡
Three quarter view of a sleeveless silver and white brocade evening gown. It is fitted but with some gathering at the décolletage and tweaks at the back creating a short train Partial view of the bodice which shows how the fabric has been manipulated to created a ruched effect in the silver and white brocade Back view of the 1930s silver and white brocade evening gown which reveals it is backless and then falls to a gathered train at the back Fabric detail of the 1930s silver and white brocade evening gown showing a rippled side fastening and focusing on the ferny silver motif
August 23, 2026 at 6:01 PM
katestrasdin.bsky.social
Looking at a collar in isolation, allows a more considered view. We can appreciate details of its hand worked satin stitch & fluted edges. Pelerine collars were commonly worn in the 1820s but here it sits in its own right, not an accessory but a handmade beauty #FashionMuseumBath #FashionHistory 🗃️🪡
A triple tiered whitework pelerine collar mounted on a black background so that the hand embroidery is more visible. It would have sat around the neck shouldered with two squared off tab ends centre front A c1827 engraved fashion plate, hand tinted, that shows a lady in a daytime ensemble wearing a purplish dress. She is wearing a broad whitework collar over her shoulders and a large hat
May 30, 2026 at 11:08 AM
katestrasdin.bsky.social
I first studied this dress in detail during a research fellowship 16 years ago, an unusual construction worn c1870 by Alexandra Princess of Wales. It is by Mme Elise, one of the makers that features in Dressing the Queen. The tartan almost glows #FashionMuseumBath #FashionHistory 🗃️🪡
Full length view of a tartan evening dress consisting of a white satin under skirt with tartan overdress and short sleeved bodice Partial view of the early 1870s tartan evening dress that shows how the bustle section is arranged at the back Skirt detail of the tartan 1870s dress showing the white satin pleated underskirt and the draped tartan overdress Cover of my book Dressing the Queen
July 15, 2026 at 9:02 AM
katestrasdin.bsky.social
An early 19th century sleeve is always a winner in my opinion. The construction often includes some clever confection of net and silk, all finished with some lovely piped seams. This pale blue, late #1810s #FashionMuseumBath #FashionHistory 🗃️🪡
A close up photograph of a pale blue sleeve, featuring decorative silk knots with a puff of white net beneath Another close up photograph of part of a late 1810s pale blue evening dress looking at the decorative white silk bands applied to the lower portion of the skirt The back of the 1810s pale blue silk evening dress with a decorative bow centre back, short puff sleeves and white gauze undersleeves The front of the late 1810s pale blue silk evening dress with empire line bodice decorated in a military style with white bands across the bust, white bands of silk at the hem and short puff sleeves with white gauze undersleeves
April 25, 2026 at 11:45 AM
katestrasdin.bsky.social
Gorgeous, golden & gauzy, I am in awe of the 1820s approach to evening dress which so often includes not only fabulous fabrics but smart decorative details. Here the lovely silk rouleaux have been plaited across the bodice & arranged in waves around the skirt #FashionMuseumBath #FashionHistory 🗃️🪡
Full length view of a yellow figured gauze dress which has short puff sleeves and a long skirt. There is a yellow silk rouleaux trim arranged diagonally in a plait either side of the bodice and running in rows around the skirt A partial view of the yellow 1820s evening dress which shows how the silk covered cord is an arranged on the bodice and the fullness of the sleeve. It also shows the pleating at the waistband
July 8, 2026 at 10:54 AM
katestrasdin.bsky.social
Strolling through Richmond Park yesterday I was imagining equestrians past and imagined habit clad figures trotting across the heathland. This is a smart cotton late #1820s riding habit for the stylish sporting gals #FashionMuseumBath #FashionHistory 🗃️🪡
Partial view of an oatmeal coloured cotton riding habit. It consists of a turned down high collar with self covered buttons running across the bodice. It has long sleeves with a puff that balloons around the upper arm. Back view of the oatmeal cotton riding habit showing the construction of the bodice, the fullness of the sleeves and the gathering of fabric at the back of the skirt A watercolour of a woman in a brown riding habit with full sleeves and long skirts. She is wearing a top hat, a cravat and a white shirt
February 8, 2026 at 10:05 AM
katestrasdin.bsky.social
Aqua silk was chosen for this #1750s woman’s waistcoat, fitting snugly over the body and lengthening over the hips. There are similar features to their male counterparts including the gilt embellished pocket flaps and buttons #FashionMuseumBath #FashionHistory 🗃️🪡
Side view of a long sleeveless waistcoat of pale blue aqua silk which has a long row of silver embellished buttons centre front and decorative side pocket flaps at the hips. The edges are trimmed with silver embroidery Front view of the pale blue silk 1750s waistcoat which shows the shape of the sleeveless design and its longer length over the hips A detail of the silver embellished pocket flap outlined in a traditional 18th century styler Back view of the 1750s waistcoat which shows that it is short at the back, fitting around the waist with centre back lacing and no visible embellishment suggesting it would only be seen with a jacket over the top
May 11, 2026 at 9:01 AM
katestrasdin.bsky.social
This is slightly random, but as soon as I saw this late 1890s cape, I thought of the secretary bird in Bedknobs & Broomsticks! Something about its top heavy ruffles or is that just my brain?! Probably more like Big Bird! Anyway, it is cheery, golden watered silk #fashionmuseumbath #FashionHistory 🗃️🪡
Back view of a two layered yellow silk cape with a deep ruffle at the neck Disney cartoon of a long legged secretary bird wearing a three piece suit
January 10, 2025 at 8:31 AM
katestrasdin.bsky.social
Hazy summer days captured in gathered white muslin that has been printed with a pattern of swaying blue and green leaves. Not our idea of a July wardrobe but I appreciate the #1860s aesthetic all the same #FashionMuseumBath #FashionHistory 🗃️🪡
Full length view of a gathered white muslin crinoline dress that has a printed repeating of long blue and green leaves. The bodice is gathered into the waistband and it has a full crinoline skirt Back view of the white 1860s muslin dress with printed leaf pattern Bodice detail of the white muslin 1860s dress which shows how the fabric is gathered from the round neck towards the waist. The printed pattern is visible amongst the folds of the fabric Partial view of the back of the 1860s white muslin crinoline dress which shows the construction of the bodice and the gathering at the waistband of the skirt
July 10, 2026 at 10:05 AM
bathnes.bsky.social
Help shape the new Fashion Museum Bath! We’re hosting drop-in events across Bath & North East Somerset this summer to share early designs and hear your ideas.
 
🗓️ Full list: www.fashionmuseum.co.uk/hav...

#FashionMuseumBath #HaveYourSay #BathEvents #CultureMatters
The Old Post Office building in Bath, the location of the new Fashion Museum Bath. Credit: 6a Architects. Fashion Museum Bath Dress of the Year 2023, selected by Caroline Rush, CBE: Dress by Simone Rocha, Spring/Summer 2023. © Fashion Museum Bath. Photo: Peter J Stone. Fashion Museum Bath Dress of the Year 2023, selected by Caroline Rush, CBE: Dress by Simone Rocha, Spring/Summer 2023; Ensemble by Bianca Saunders, 2023. © Fashion Museum Bath. Photo: Peter J Stone. Drawings from the Paquin Archive, part of the Fashion Museum Bath Collection.
July 14, 2025 at 7:17 AM
bathnes.bsky.social
Help shape the new Fashion Museum Bath! We’re hosting drop-in events across Bath & North East Somerset this summer to share early designs and hear your ideas.
 
🗓️ Full list: www.fashionmuseum.co.uk/hav...

#FashionMuseumBath #HaveYourSay #BathEvents #CultureMatters
The Old Post Office building in Bath, the location of the new Fashion Museum Bath. Credit: 6a Architects. Fashion Museum Bath Dress of the Year 2023, selected by Caroline Rush, CBE: Dress by Simone Rocha, Spring/Summer 2023. © Fashion Museum Bath. Photo: Peter J Stone. Fashion Museum Bath Dress of the Year 2023, selected by Caroline Rush, CBE: Dress by Simone Rocha, Spring/Summer 2023; Ensemble by Bianca Saunders, 2023. © Fashion Museum Bath. Photo: Peter J Stone. Drawings from the Paquin Archive, part of the Fashion Museum Bath Collection.
July 26, 2025 at 7:38 AM
bathnes.bsky.social
Help shape the new Fashion Museum Bath! We’re hosting drop-in events across Bath & North East Somerset this summer to share early designs and hear your ideas.
 
🗓️ Full list: www.fashionmuseum.co.uk/hav...

#FashionMuseumBath #HaveYourSay #BathEvents #CultureMatters
The Old Post Office building in Bath, the location of the new Fashion Museum Bath. Credit: 6a Architects. Fashion Museum Bath Dress of the Year 2023, selected by Caroline Rush, CBE: Dress by Simone Rocha, Spring/Summer 2023. © Fashion Museum Bath. Photo: Peter J Stone. Fashion Museum Bath Dress of the Year 2023, selected by Caroline Rush, CBE: Dress by Simone Rocha, Spring/Summer 2023; Ensemble by Bianca Saunders, 2023. © Fashion Museum Bath. Photo: Peter J Stone. Drawings from the Paquin Archive, part of the Fashion Museum Bath Collection.
July 10, 2025 at 4:49 PM