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Fashion, clothing and design

Studying clothing involves material, technique, date and use. Museum collections provide a different perspective from sales pages.

Getting started

Compare two records: period, material, identified designer and photograph. Distinguish historical objects, reconstructions and current products.

Before deciding

A collection image does not prove a sale item’s authenticity. Check credits and rights before reusing a photograph.

Choose a source and keep useful references

Compare resources

V&A and the Met present clothing and accessory collections. Compare objects, dates and contexts rather than a ranking of brands to buy.

Prepare your research

Keep inventory number, named maker, material, technique and date. Distinguish record information, uncertain attribution and details visible only in the photograph.

Practical questions

Does a historical garment's measurement give my current size?

It describes the preserved object using the record's measurement method. For a purchase, consult the maker's guide and compare dimensions measured alike; historical sizing is not a universal standard.

Can I identify fabric from a photograph?

Use the image to form a hypothesis, then look for material, technique and condition in the record. On-screen colour and texture are insufficient; distinguish documented information from visual impressions.

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