Autumn Study Day: Fashion, Femininity and Power at Killerton, Devon

Advance notice of Autumn Study Day
Visit to Whitchurch Silk Mill

A visit to Whitchurch silk mill, the oldest in the UK.
Costume: Body and Soul Summer Study Day at LCF July 7 2018

Join us for our AGM and Summer Study Day
My 1950s: Women. Fashion. Everyday Life. - Exhibition Review

A fascinating review of the exhibition ‘My 1950s: Women. Fashion. Everyday Life.’ currently showing at the Nordiska Museet in Stockholm from CS Ambassador Eanna Morrison Barrs.
‘Fatal Stays’: Corsets and The Performance of Victorian Femininity (1 of 3)

Using Konstantin Stanislavski's theories of Performance, in this first of three instalments, CS Ambassador Beth Graham discusses the corset and ideals of Victorian Femininity.
A Review of the Conference ‘Dress and Décor in Scotland up to 1700’

CS Ambassador Francesca Scantlebury reviews the conference ‘Dress and Décor’ hosted last month by the Institute of Scottish Historical Research as part of their tenth-anniversary celebrations.
Behind the scenes visit to the V&A Clothworkers Centre and British Museum Store.

Blythe House, Olympia is home to the V&A's Clothworkers' Centre where, on the 8th April 2018, CS Ambassador Valerie Wilson attended a 'behind the scenes' visit hosted by the V&A and the British Museum.
Before The Rain 1980 to 1984: How Prince Got ‘The Look’

As we come to the anniversary of Prince’s death Costume Society ambassador Casci Ritchie shares her research into how this iconic look came to fruition.
"A Stitch in Time" Exhibition at Ham House, Richmond

Following BBC Four's hugely successful series 'A Stitch in Time', CS Ambassador Jade Bailey-Dowling visits the series' namesake exhibition at Ham House, Richmond and shares with us her thoughts on the exhibition's themes.
Artist Textiles - Picasso to Warhol Exhibition Review

One of our new CS ambassador recruits Casci Ritchie reviews ‘Artists Textiles - Picasso to Warhol’, an exhibition in partnership with the Fashion and Textile Museum showing at the New Lanark Visitor Centre until 29th April 2018.
The Enduring Appeal of Marimekko’s Apparel

CS Ambassador Katy Canales discusses the enduring appeal of Marimekko just in time for the opening of the 'Century of the Child: Nordic Design for Children 1900 to Today' exhibition at the V&A Museum of Childhood.
Fashioning the future: the launch of the Commonwealth Fashion Exchange at Buckingham Palace

The Costume Society at the Eco-Age launch

Welcome to the Costume Society

Promoting the study of all aspects of clothing and textiles, the Society aims to encourage access to costume history, including contemporary dress. Our appeal is wide-ranging and object-based. Our members include academics, collectors, curators, designers, re-enactors, students and informed enthusiasts across the world. What we have in common is our wish to provide the best and most varied opportunities to study this fascinating topic.

Find out more about us and how to join the Society