Henfield Museum
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Costume: Features

Featured highlights from our collection...


From Wilberforce to the workhouse, we spotlight items of clothing from the opposite ends of society. At one extreme, elaborately embroidered waistcoats, and at the other, utilitarian and thoroughly well-used stays.
The Waistcoat Wardrobe

​Click the waistcoat to enter a colourful and extravagant world...​
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The Workhouse Stays

​Click the stays to reveal a fascinating find discovered in Henfield's old workhouse...
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A Costume Tale - the Unused Trousseau of Ada Tobitt
​
Discover the story of a local recluse and her unused ‘trousseau’ – the clothes, linen and other bridal belongings – she left behind.
Read on at Museum Crush...

In Flight to Worn at Night - the Parachute Silk Nightdress & Blouse
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Here we see two fine, luxurious items - a fine parachute silk nightdress and blouse made by the donor's mother during the Second World War era. With 'make do and mend' the order of the day and clothes rationing in place from June 1941 - May 1949, non-rationed gifts from above were often seized upon by skilled hands. Pattern books later also provided detailed instructions for producing particular garments from parachute panels.

Discover more in an article by the Costume Curator from 2020, written for Brighton University and Worthing Museum's Objects Unwrapped series:

From Saving Lives to Keeping up Appearances: Possible Uses for a Second World War Parachute Panel
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Return to the Costume homepage
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​Website funded by the Friends of Henfield Museum, built & maintained by R. S. Gordon. Credit to Mike Ainscough for moving the website idea from discussion to reality.
© Henfield Museum. All rights reserved except where stated otherwise.
  • Home
    • Our Vision
    • The History of Henfield Museum
  • Collections
    • The Marjorie Baker Photo Collection >
      • Those Who Served
    • Costume
    • Our Art Collection
    • Wade Family Watercolours
    • Historic Photograph Collection
    • Audio Library
    • Maps & Aerial Photos
  • Exhibitions
  • Henfieldians Past
  • Blog
  • Heritage Projects
    • Henfield's Natural History >
      • Arborea
      • The William Borrer Transcription Project
    • Oral Histories
    • A Favourite Object
    • Henfield Heritage Trails
    • Local History Research
  • Friends of Henfield Museum
    • Join Form: The Friends of Henfield Museum
    • Friends: Acquisitions
    • Friends: Past Events
  • Henfield History Group
  • Key Resources
  • Education & Outreach
  • Gift Shop
  • Contact Us and Opening Times