At the Fashion Museum in Bath

Posted byJenniePosted in2009 Tour, Bath, costume, museum, photosTags:, , ,
18th-century gown of silk with silver trimmings.
18th-century gown of silk with silver trimmings.

Now, at the outset, I have to apologize for how dark most of these photos are. It’s not Lindsay’s fault at all. The Bath Fashion Museum has a fabulous collection, but, unfortunately, its displays are just about the worst when it comes to overall layout and, most especially, good lighting. You spend most of your time squinting into glass cases that reflect your own image back better than they showcase what’s inside. Yet some displays have lighting so bright that you have problems with overexposure. Suzi has refused on principle to visit the museum for years–LOL! But, all griping aside, the collection is lovely, and I hope in future they improve the layout and design. There’s such amazing potential in the Assembly Rooms for gorgeous display; it’s bound to happen one of these days. In the meantime, here’s a peek at what Lindsay captured.

 

 

A selection of ladies' underthings through the centuries. The ornate slips (teddies) are from the 1920s.
A selection of ladies’ underthings through the centuries. The ornate slips (teddies) are from the 1920s.
These incredibly detailed men's gauntlets are from the 1600s.
These incredibly detailed men’s gauntlets are from the 1600s.
Gorgeous 18th-century saque-back gown, surrounded, oddly enough, by wine glasses. Go figure...
Gorgeous 18th-century saque-back gown, surrounded, oddly enough, by wine glasses. Go figure…
Sleeve detail from another 18th-century gown...
Sleeve detail from another 18th-century gown…
This Regency gown is absolutely covered in silvery beads.
This Regency gown is absolutely covered in silvery beads.
Early 1830s gown with sheer sleeves over the trademark wide, puffed sleeves of the Romantic era.
Early 1830s gown with sheer sleeves over the trademark wide, puffed sleeves of the Romantic era.
Mourning dress that belonged to Queen Victoria. She was incredibly short-statured.
Mourning dress that belonged to Queen Victoria. She was incredibly short-statured.
Ornate bustle gown from the 1880s.
Ornate bustle gown from the 1880s.
Stunning ballgown from the 1890s.
Stunning ballgown from the 1890s.
And a close-up of the luscious bodice!
And a close-up of the luscious bodice!

Wish I could show you more, but the lighting just didn’t give Lindsay enough help. 😛 Next time I’ll share pictures from our gorgeous Sunday in Bath!

Published by Jennie

Wife, mother, seamstress, pattern designer, owner of Sense & Sensibility Patterns, travel enthusiast.

10 thoughts on “At the Fashion Museum in Bath”

  1. Oooh the silk lampas in the 18th century sleeve detail photo is to die for! Lovely photos despite the challenges of bad lighting and reflective glass.

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  8. Hello Jennie,
    Love your pics from the Fashion Museum at Bath, and I had the same complaint. Impossible to photograph — sometimes to see — the gorgeous details. when I was there the lights were out over Victoria’s mourning gown so it was just a black rectangle. Sigh. It was wonderful, though, to be stopped at the end of my visit for a short guest survey. Never mind that I am a museum professional in the States… 🙂 or that historical clothing is something I am very interested in… I requested to please fix the lighting… Someday I will return and it will be perfect. I just know it…

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