Maine Memory Network

Historic Clothing Collection - Themed Image Galleries

"There are gaps in representation, but as the examples in the overview make clear from the eighteenth to the late twentieth centuries, Maine's…"

Historic Clothing Collection - 1830-1850 - Page 2 of 3

"… and readily available, yet they are scarcely in evidence in this section of the current collection."

Historic Clothing Collection - Arcy Cary Bradford's gigot sleeve wedding dress, ca. 1829 - Page 1 of 2

"This particular dress represents the trend in its early years, before the sleeve size reached its peak."

Historic Clothing Collection - 1930-1940 - Page 2 of 4

"… the beginnings of the American fashion industry in the 1920s, found opportunities in fashion fields such as designing, advertising, and journalism."

Historic Clothing Collection - 1950-1960 - Page 1 of 4

"Parallel with these developments in the late 1950s to early 1960s, the custom of girls and young women dressing or wearing hair and make-up like…"

Historic Clothing Collection - 1940-1950 - Page 2 of 3

"In this vein, there are two American examples in the collection. One is a V neck navy blue cocktail dress with trumpet wrist sleeves and a skirt…"

Historic Clothing Collection - Northern Threads: Two centuries of dress at Maine Historical Society - Page 2 of 3

"… insight to personality, life, and profession in a uniquely outward facing way. Clothing as a primary resource contextualizes social, economic, and…"

Historic Clothing Collection - Early Nineteenth Century

"In fashion, decade demarcations are basically imprecise, nevertheless, for convenience, the Early Nineteenth Century fashions in this overview are…"

Historic Clothing Collection - Sally Holmes's evening gown, ca. 1824 - Page 1 of 2

"… Sally Holmes of Alfred wore this evening gown in Washington, DC during James Monroe's administration from 1817-1825 when her husband, John Holmes…"

Historic Clothing Collection - Wrappers, Teagowns & At Home Dresses

"… versions such as the first three listed in this slide show, were perhaps worn in the relaxed privacy of a ladies sitting room when entertaining a…"

Historic Clothing Collection - 1890-1900 - Page 1 of 3

"… stores, including Peck's in Lewiston, Libby's in Portland, and in small town dry-goods stores. Reasonably priced plain skirts, jackets, and blouses…"

Historic Clothing Collection - 1970-1980 - Page 2 of 3

"It closed its doors in 1976 with the retirement of its proprietress, Delia Frances Felix. Of thin polyester knits, there is a red high waisted full…"

Historic Clothing Collection - Active & Casual Wear

"This assortment is a representation of the types of casual or active wear items to be found in the overall Maine Historical Society collection."

Historic Clothing Collection - Eighteenth Century - Page 1 of 3

"By 1825, the dress was altered and re-constructed, perhaps as a costume (known at the time as "fancy dress") in homage to the Marquis, or as an early…"

Historic Clothing Collection - 1870-1890 - Page 3 of 4

"Some 1880s basques (seen in some of the collection's wedding dresses) are long, but not as long as the example just described, and sweep back over…"

Historic Clothing Collection - 1800-1830 - Page 1 of 2

"… for her brother, Henry Wadsworth, who was killed in naval action with Corsairs at Tripoli in September 1804."

Historic Clothing Collection - 1900-1910 - Page 3 of 3

"… dress simplified the silhouettes, as seen in a modest gold silk satin print dress with horizontally tucked sleeves and black piped detailing, and…"

Historic Clothing Collection - 1950-1960 - Page 2 of 4

"This attitude played out in the now classic movies, "The Wild One" with Marlon Brando (1953), and "Rebel Without a Cause" with James Dean (1955)."

Historic Clothing Collection - 1950-1960 - Page 4 of 4

"But, in some segments of the market, French design still held its old cachet. While pirating French couture designs was an old practice, in the 1950s…"

Historic Clothing Collection - Outerwear 1900-1930

"Full sleeves of the same style are found in the collection's three-button black satin coat, and in a collarless red wool coat trimmed with silk cord…"

Historic Clothing Collection - 1830-1850 - Page 3 of 3

"1845Maine Historical Society Silk dresses in subdued colors of plain and woven patterns predominate the 1840s examples."

Historic Clothing Collection - 1960-1970 - Page 2 of 3

"… used for mini dresses, there are no examples in this collection nor is there representation of home-made or purchased typical mini dresses."

Historic Clothing Collection - 1850-1870 - Page 1 of 4

"… and preserved, silk garments are more prevalent in the collection. Gold damask dress, ca. 1855Maine Historical Society Silk was imported from…"

Historic Clothing Collection - Mid to Late Nineteenth Century

"Godey's Ladies Magazine, founded in 1830, was the most widely circulated fashion magazine. Its competitor, Petersons Magazine, was founded in 1842."