Costume History

Each era in history has been unique in many ways. The way people live, work and socialized has changed markedly with each passing generation. The same can be said about the clothing that was worn during that period.

Over the course of time, each period has a unique costume and dress associated with it. They range from the simplistic roman era to the elaborate costume of the Elizabethan period to the frivolous time of the Roaring 20’s. Each period has a unique story associated with the attire of the time. We have assembled a collection of resources about costumes throughout history:

Egyptian

• Ancient Costumes and Fashions in Egypt – information on the costumes of ancient Egypt and other time periods.
• Egyptian Costumes – example of typical costumes of ancient Egypt.
• Ancient Egypt & Pop Culture – resource for information on ancient Egypt and how it related to popular culture.
• Egyptian Costume History – look at the developments of costumes in Egypt.

 Greek

• Greek Costume History – information on Greek costumes including images.
• Ancient Greek Female Costumes – collection of images of various costumes used by females in ancient Greece.
• Ancient Greek Costumes – resourceful information on a book involving the evolution of Greek costumes.
• Period Styles – theater information on costumers of various periods.

 Roman

• Roman Costumes – resource showing the various styles of Roman costumes.
• Roman Clothing – glossary of terms used pertaining to Roman clothing.
• Roman Clothing and Status – information on various Roman clothing and the meaning in terms of status.
• History of Roman Costume – outline of the history in Roman costumes.

 Renaissance

• Medieval and Renaissance – information on the era, including costumes.
• Italian Renaissance Costume – costume construction information of the Italian Renaissance era.
• Renaissance Costumes – information on the Renaissance era costumes.
• Renaissance Style – resourceful site which looks at the costume styles of the Renaissance era.

 Elizabethan

• Shakespeare Information – resource listing information on the works of Shakespeare and costumes.
• Elizabethan Costume – information on costumes of the Elizabethan era.
• Elizabethan Costume Clipart – images of Elizabethan costumes that can be used as clipart.
• Elizabethan History – collection of resources on the Elizabethan era including costume information.

 Romantic

• Romantic Dress – information on the dress of the Romantic period.
• Romantic Stages – description of theatrical staging and costume ideas for this era.
• Romantic Costumes – Romantic period costumes and other information.
• Romantic Outline – outline of dress in Romantic time period.

 Gay 90's

• Costumes of the Gay 90’s – information on costume design of the 1890’s.
• History of Fashion – site which outlines the history of fashion, including the 1890’s.
• Costume History – information on costume history including the 1890’s.
• 1890’s Fashion – a look at the popular fashions of the Gay 90’s.

 Roaring 20's

• Gatsby and the Jazz Age – information including costumes and fashion of the 1920’s.
• Men’s Fashion in the 1920’s – informative site on the fashion that is popular in the Roaring 20’s.
• Culture of the 20’s – look at the decade of the 20’s fads and fashion.
• Jazz Age Culture – Roaring 20’s information about fashion and culture.

 Fifties

• Fifties Culture – resourceful site outlining life in the 1950’s.
• Fashion of the Fifties – information on fashion and life in the 50’s.
• Fashion History of the 50’s – a look at the costumes and fashion of the fifties.
• Historic Fifties Costumes – costume and fashion history of the 1950’s.

 Other Costume Resources

• Historical Resources – good resourceful research site for historical information including costumes.
• Historical Costumes – a list of low priced historical costumes.

Article written by Janice D. McDonald