Bath Fashion Museum

Hello! This week I come to you from India. I just arrived in Bangalore, but before I get into the Bollywood side of things I thought I'd discuss the items at the Fashion Museum in my birthplace, Bath. Bath is glorious, as was this museum, as you can see from these beautiful pieces.

The below dress is an evening gown from 1800. It reminded me of something Ms. Bennet would wear in Pride and Prejudice. Embroidered with tiny glass cylinders, it sparkled like it was covered in sequins. Evening gowns in the 1800s were often styled like Greek and Roman statues, with slender shapes and long skirts.

This gold dress is from 1925. It has a gold lace skirt and a "freeing" golden bodice. Designed by Paul Poiret, it was meant to free women from the corsets of the time. I love the detail in this piece and the rich golden color.

The last dress is from the 1950s, my favorite fashion time period.  The embroidery reminds me of dresses from the 1800s, while the full skirt is characteristic of the mid 20th century.

After looking at countless pieces at the museums in England, I find the rich detail throughout the centuries is amazing. No matter which decade, clothing always uses impressive embroidery, dye, or other decorations to capture the eye. Also interesting is the difference between these authentic pieces and what we see as costumes in movies, television shows, and theater--those made to look old still use the methods of today, resulting in clothing that is very cleanly made. Many of the pieces I saw, especially from the earlier centuries, lack that precision because of the tools and fabrics available at that time. 

Finally, a picture from an actual costume shop in London! Isn't it pretty?

That's it for Europe. Next time I'll start posting about the amazing India!