Browse Items (478 total)

Emilio Pucci’s (1914-1992) journey to becoming a fashion designer did not follow the same trajectory as other mid-twentieth century designers. Born into an Italian aristocratic family, with no expectations of having the necessity to work, Pucci’s…

Automatic opening umbrella patented in 1917 has eight metal channel ribs supporting a machine chain stitched, black Gloriana cloth canopy in a dome shape; silver-colored metal stick with wood handle in a crook shape that has a slanted ivory end. The…

This sitter is dressed in a bodice and skirt with several distinct features that help date the photograph to the 1880s, probably the earlier part of the decade. Her bodice is constructed with both vertical and horizontal darts, and it buttons down…

The American and French Revolutions remain emblems of the political and social upheavals taking place during the 1700s. By the century's end, fashions had changed dramatically. This metamorphosis is found most readily in the clothing of the wealthy.…

Fashionable Undress for July 1799This fashion plate is a single page that once belonged to a bound volume of materials. Originally printed in The Lady’s Monthly Museum, a periodical published in London, England from 1798 to1832, this image “showed…

Morning Dress for October 1799Mary C. Whitlock, former department chair and founder of URI’s Historic Textile and Costume Collection, found many loose fashion plates in antique shops around Massachusetts and donated them to URI’s collection. These…

Afternoon Dress for December 1799The American and French Revolutions remain emblems of the political and social upheavals taking place during the 1700s. By the century's end, fashions had changed dramatically. This metamorphosis is found most readily…

Full Dress for June 1799This fashion plate for the June 1799 issue of The Lady’s Monthly Museum is labeled “full dress”. It shows two dresses in the Neoclassical style. The 1790s was a transitional period for fashion. The chemise a la reine, first…

During the Victorian Era, fashions for young girls mimicked the fashion available for adult women. However, there were exceptions to this rule. Until the age of 16 or 17, girls wore short skirts that fell around the mid-calf to ankle length.…

The name for this Romanian folk blouse is the IA, traditionally worn on sacred days, when Romanians believe “the sky is open” (Corduneanu, 2016). The design is characterized by the variety and placement of the embroidery stitches. Each section of…