Costume
This collection includes dresses, separates and suits from the 1750s through to the present day. It includes garments that are home-made to dress-maker made through to designer garments by designers including Vivienne Westwood, Dior and Alexander McQueen. Our range of sportswear clothing is particularly strong, from swimwear to horse riding garments, mountaineering to tennis, our sports range dates from the late 19th century to the present day.
1930s dark blue wool gabardine ski suit comprising of a jacket, trousers and a cap with ear flaps. Made by H.A Beal of Regent Street in London.
Leather motorcycling outfit worn during the 1930s. The leather coat, gloves, hat and boots would have protected the wearer from the cold wind, rain, mud and dirt from the roads, and the risk of injury in an accident.
Woman's jacket embellished with bronze coins. Designed by Rifat Ozbeck, 1991.
Woman's knitted jumper. Made by the designer John Ashpool, 1974.
Our collections hold over 300 knitted or crocheted garments from the 1920s through to the present day.
Evening dress of red silk chiffon by Zandra Rhodes, 1974. This dress is made from a print called Lace Mountain and has a finely pleated collar trimmed with tiny bronze beads.
Woman's side saddle riding outfit made from a black striped wool broadcloth, worn c1900.
Man's three piece suit of grey herringbone wool. Made by C.F Hoggett and Son of Leicester in 1910.
Woman's cream silk wedding dress trimmed with lace, velvet buttons and French Knot embroidery. The dress was worn by Lilian Clift in Huncote on the 26th December 1914.
In order to except a wedding dress into our collections the wedding has to have taken place in Leicestershire excluding Leicester City.
The garments here are just a taster of what the Costume Collections hold. Please contact us if you are studying a particular era, garment or technique. I am sure we will be able to help. Contact Us