Clothing & Costumes

General Resource Sites

• Bissonnette on Costume: A Visual Dictionary of Fashion 
  Example images of costume by locality, time period and accessories.
• Bits of Blue and Gray - American Civil War Fashions 
  The column describes the clothing women wore during the Civil War era, undergarments, dresses, jackets, coats, hats, as well as accessories, shoes, belts, purses, etc.
• The Black Fashion Museum 
  The Black Fashion Museum in Washington DC acknowledges the achievements and contributions of people from the African Diaspora to the apparel industry.
• Clothing of the 1830s 
• Cornell Costume and Textile Collection 
• The Costume Gallery 
• Costume History 
  Links to many sites by period which are useful for dating old photographs based on the clothes worn by the subjects.
  • Dressing Baby - 1850s Style 
  • The History of Fashion and Dress 
  • Timeline of Costume History 
• The Costume Page - Costume History 
• The Costumer's Manifesto 
  Victorian fashion links.
• Dating Portraits - Clothing Styles 
• Dye History from 2600 BC to the 20th Century 
• Godey's Lady's Book 
• Historical Boys Clothing 
• The History of Costume 
  By Braun & Schneider - c.1861-1880.
• Jessamyn's Regency Costume Companion 
• Lisa's Fashion History Database 
  Full-color drawings of ladies fashions from the 1800s and 1900s.
• The Museum of Costume 
• Notes and Illustrations on Regency Clothing Styles 
  With 1895 Charles E. Brock illustrations for Pride and Prejudice.
• The Regency Fashion Page 
• Southern Refugee Society 
  Civilian Civil War Re-enactors with information and links on period fashions.
• Victoriana.com, "Harper's Bazar" - Mourning and Funeral Usages 
• Victoriana.com, "Harper's Bazar" - Victorian Bridal Gowns 
• Victorian Fashion Pages 
• Widow's Weeds 
  Mourning fashions of the Victorian era.

Jewelry & Accessories

• American Orders And Societies And Their Decorations 
  Book for sale from the Naval & Military Press .
• American Society Medals: An Identification Guide 
  A book by Lee E. Bishop.
• Bonnets, Hats & Caps 
• Clues Among the Family Jewels 
  From "Along Those Lines..." by George Morgan.
• Clues in Fraternal Memorabilia 
  Online article by Rhonda R. McClure.
• Corsets and Crinolines 
  A book by Norah Waugh.
• The Feather Trade 
  A virtual exhibition from the Smithsonian Institute's National Museum of American History.
• Fraternalism in America (1860 - 1920) 
  Includes information on identifying fraternal jewelry.
• Fraternalism in America (1860 - 1920) 
  Online article by Bart P. Snarf from the Phoenixmasonry Masonic Museum. Includes a brief history of the organization plus images of fraternal jewelry as an aid to identification.
  • Ancient Order of United Workmen 
  • Ancient Order Knights of the Mystic Chain 
  • Benevolent Protective Order Of Elks 
  • Civil War Orders (GAR, etc.) 
  • Daughters of the American Revolution 
  • Foresters Group 
  • Fraternal Order of Eagles 
  • Improved Order of Redmen 
  • The International Association of Rebekah Assemblies 
  • Knights and Ladies of the Golden Eagle 
  • The Knights of Pythias 
  • Loyal Order of Moose 
  • Maccabees 
  • Nativist Orders (Order Of United American Mechanics, Junior OUAM/Daughters Of America, Patriotic Order Sons Of America) 
  • New England Order Of Protection 
  • Odd Fellows Service Jewels 
  • Odd Fellows - Rebekah Past (Noble) Grand 
  • Oriental Order of Humility and Perfection - Ancient Mystic Order of Samaritans 
  • Patrons of Husbandry (The Grange) 
  • Railroad Orders 
  • Supreme Council of the Royal Arcanum 
  • Townsend Clubs 
  • Woodmen of the World 
• From Hair To Eternity 
• Genealogical Jewels 
  Online article by Kristen Dame Knight.
• Gentlemen's Dress Accessories 
  A book by Eve Eckstein.
• The History of Underclothes 
  A book by C. Willett Cunnington.
• An Illustrated Glossary of Masonic Collecting Terms and Symbolism 
• IOOF Jewels 
  A guide to identification of Odd Fellows' and Rebekahs' insignia.
• Knights of Columbus - Emblems of the Order 
  From St. Joseph's Council No. 6462. Includes photographs of officer jewels.
• Knights of Columbus Robes and Jewels of Council Officers 
  From Holy Rosary Church Knights of Columbus Council 11841. Clip art pictures of Council Officer Jewels.
• Mens Collars in History 
• Miss Vera's Hatbox 
  See several bonnet styles popular during the Civil War.
• Parrish Relics 
  Handcrafted jewelry inspired by the ornate designs of the past. We welcome custom orders, and can create unique necklaces with your family crest or image.
• Remembering A Loved One With Mourning Jewelry 
  From the Victorian Hairwork Society. Explains the Victorian custom of creating jewelry, pictures, and other mementos of a loved one from their hair.
• Secret Society & Masonic Paraphenalia 
  As displayed at the 6th biennial Australian Labour History Conference. Includes pictures of historic regalia.
• Shoemaking Links 
• Society Emblems 
  Lithograph from 1896.
• Things Gone By - Mourning Jewelry 
  During the Georgian and Victorian Periods, works of art and jewelry were created out of hair and other materials to commemorate the loss of loved ones. These mourning pieces served as an eternal memorial and reminder of the lost loved one.
• Turn-of-the-Century Hard Collars and Cuffs 
• Victoria's Jewelry Box Wholesale Custom Victorian Jewelry 
  Where Victoriana enthusiasts, hatpin collectors, and historical reenactors love to shop.

Locality Specific

• The Art of Family: Genealogical Artifacts in New England 
  A book by D. Brenton Simons.
• Dressmakers in Brooklyn 1895 
  Lain's Brooklyn & LI Business Directory of 1895.
• From Querns to Quilts - A select view of the material culture of Antigonish, Nova Scotia 
  • Ladies' Headgear 
  • Ladies' Daytime Wear 
  • Ladies' Outerwear 
  • Ladies' Accessories 
  • Shoes and Shoemaking 
• London College of Fashion: College Archive 
  A digital record of the London College of Fashion archive.
• Regional Costumes of Italy 
• The Scottish Tartans Society 
  Principal authority in the world on tartans and Highland dress. Established in 1963 on the initiative of the senior law officer on protocol and precedence in Scotland, the Lord Lyon King of Arms, Sir Thomas Innes of Learney.
• Shambellie House Museum of Costume  ~ Scotland
• Tartans of Scotland 
  Register of all publicly known tartans online, which includes details and images of over 2,800 tartans.
• Lewis & Clark Tailor Made, Trail Worn: Army Life, Clothing, & Weapons of the Corps of Discovery 
  A book by Robert J. Moore Jr.

Preservation

• The Care and Preservation of Antique Textiles and Costumes 
• Encyclopedia Smithsonian: Storing Antique Textiles 
• Preserving Precious Textiles 
  From "Along Those Lines ..." by George Morgan.

Publications, Software & Supplies

• Amazon.com Genealogy Bookstore - Clothing 
  The following are individual book titles of interest for this topic. The book links below point to the Amazon.com bookstore online where you may purchase the book if you wish. These links are provided to bring these published resources to your attention as an aid to your research. Follow the links to books of interest to make note of their title, author, publisher, and ISBN. You might then use this information to obtain the book from your local library or your favorite corner book shop.
  • American Victorian Costume in Early Photographs 
    A book by Priscilla Harris Dalrymple.
  • Art of Hair Work: Hair Braiding and Jewelry of Sentiment 
    A book by Mark Campbell.
  • Collectors Encyclopedia of Hairwork Jewelry: Identification & Values 
    A book by Jeanenne Bell.
  • The Complete Guide to Vintage Textiles 
    A book by Elizabeth M. Kurella.
  • Dating Fabrics: A Color Guide 1800-1960 
    A book by Eileen Trestain.
  • A Dictionary of Lace 
    A book by Pat Earnshaw.
  • Dressed for the Photographer : Ordinary Americans and Fashion, 1840-1900 
    A book by Joan L. Severa, Nancy Rexford, Claudia Brush Kidwell.
  • Elegant French Fashions of the Late Ninteenth Century : 103 Costumes from La Mode Illustree, 1886 
    A book by JoAnne Olian.
  • English Women's Clothing in the Nineteenth-Century 
    A book by C. Willett Cunnington.
  • Fashions and Costumes from Godey's Lady's Book 
    A book by Stella Blum.
  • Full-Color Victorian Fashions: 1870–1893 
    A book by JoAnne Olian.
  • Guide to Lace and Linens 
    A book by Elizabeth M. Kurella.
  • How to Be a Jewelry Detective 
    A book by C. Jeanenne Bell.
  • The Identification of Lace 
    A book by Pat Earnshaw.
  • Ladies' Vintage Accessories 
    A book by Laree Johnson Bruton.
  • Sentimental Jewellery 
    A book by Ann L. Luthi.
  • Shoes, Hats and Fashion Accessories : A Pictorial Archive, 1850-1940 
    A book by Carol Belanger Grafton.
  • Victorian and Edwardian Fashion: A Photographic Survey 
    A book by Alison Gernsheim.
  • Victorian and Edwardian Fashions from "La Mode Illustree" 
    A book by JoAnne Olian.
  • Victorian Costume for Ladies 
    A book by Linda Setnik.
  • Victorian Fashions and Costumes from Harper’s Bazar, 1867-1898 
    A book by Stella Blum.
  • Victorian Fashions: A Pictorial Archive, 965 Illustrations 
    A book by Carol Belanger Grafton.
  • Vintage Hats & Bonnets 1770-1970: Identification & Values 
    A book by Susan Langley.
  • Vintage Quilts: Identifying, Collecting, Dating, Preserving & Valuing 
    A book by Bobbie Aug.
  • Vintage Style 1920-1960 
    A book by Desire Smith.
  • Wedding Fashions, 1860-1980 
    A book by Avril Lansdell.

Vendors

• Ancestore: Apparel 
  T-Shirts, Sweatshirts, Tote Bags from Ancestor Detective.
• Blanche's Place Historic Clothing & Accessories for Men & Women 
  Historic reproduction clothing and one of a kind artwork by Lipstick Ranch.
• Davenport & Co. 
  Vintage clothing.
• Family Reunion T-Shirts 
  Personalized family t-shirts.
• Fun Stuff for Genealogists 
  Wonderful things for the genealogist! T-shirts, mugs, mouse pads, software, family tree charts, baptismal & marriage certificates, family registers and much more.
• Hattie's Clothesline 
  "Creative clothing for Family Historians".
• Once Upon a Pattern: Vintage and Victorian Knitting and Crochet Patterns Translated for Today 
  Offers documented patterns circa 1850 to 1930.
• Originals By Kay 
  Kay Gnagey creates Civil War era reproduction clothing & corsetry based on original documentary sources. Website also includes pictures of original Civil War era clothing, period fashion plates from Godey's, etc., and CDVs and other photographs of the era.
• Rizzo's Reproduction Vintage Clothing 
• Shooting Star Enterprises 
  Vendors of historical costume.
• Victoriana 
  Victorian clothing for sale.
• A Victorian Elegance 
  Antique and vintage clothing for sale.