Costume, in the antiques and museum sense, refers to historic clothing and dress accessories, including gowns, coats, waistcoats, underwear, shoes, bonnets, fans, gloves, shawls and other items worn by men, women and children in past centuries. It is studied both as decorative art and as a record of social history, revealing changing ideas about status, fashion, manufacturing and the body.
Surviving costume before the eighteenth century is rare, and most material on the market dates from the Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian periods, with twentieth-century couture forming a separate collecting area. Embroidered silk waistcoats, printed cotton day dresses, Paisley shawls, lace collars and beaded evening wear are among the categories collectors pursue. Condition is paramount: silk can shatter, dyes fade in light, and perspiration staining, moth and alterations all reduce value. Original construction, good provenance and labels from known dressmakers or retailers add considerably to interest. Historic costume should be stored flat or on padded hangers in acid-free materials, kept away from direct light and handled with clean hands, and cleaning or repair is best left to a specialist textile conservator.
