I am very partial to a yachting ensemble. The mid #1880s was particularly stylish on the tailoring score, deploying contrast trim and sharp seams. This natty woollen costume was made by J.J. Malloy c1887 @museemccordstewart.bsky.social #FashionHistory 🗃️🪡

From the Archive: 18th Century Weavers in London – a Case Study of Trade Cards and Bill-heads (1800 words). www.ikfoundation.org/itextilis/18...

Word cloud showing the multidisciplinary contents from the book SPITSBERGEN SCIENCE EXPEDITIONS. Probably the most up-to-date and definitive book on the Arctic: SPITSBERGEN | Svalbard: Natural & Cultural History, written by leading European experts. Read/Order > www.ikfoundation.org/books-and-ar...

La Vie en rose. Robe de style by the Boué Soeurs, Paris, about 1923, photos my own, collection Designmuseum Danmark. ‘Roses’ by Claude Monet, 1925-26, Musée Marmottan Monet.

Young man wearing a purple coat with scarlet lining, white waistcoat, black silk breeches with white stockings and Hussar boots made of shiny black goatskin with leather tassels. From the Magasin des Modes Nouvelles Françaises et Anglaises, 1788. #FashionPlateFriday #dresshistory #18thc

A new year, and the iTEXTILIS textile history essays will continue to be published in 2026, every 2-3 w... A heartfelt thank you to everyone who supports keeping the iTEXTILIS essay collection accessible and free for all to read. whydonate.com/fundraising/... Best textile wishes for the new year!

NEW ESSAY: Linen Bleaching Grounds – A Case Study of Household Linen and Laundry: 1530s to 1940s. www.ikfoundation.org/itextilis/li...

If you are interested in exploring more about 18th-century global textile history! My monograph ‘Textilia Linnaeana: Global 18th Century Textile Traditions & Trade’ (520 pages). | Available here… www.ikfoundation.org/books-and-ar...

The final batch of 250 hand-bound, numbered books is now ready to order! SPITSBERGEN SCIENCE EXPEDITIONS | 446 pp. with in-depth details, including text sections, maps, diagrams, pictures, artworks, timelines, and large fold-outs. TAGS > Arctic | Earth Science | Fieldwork | Expeditions …

Boxing Day was traditionally a day when servants would be given a box containing gifts, bonuses, and sometimes leftover food. This red and white striped cotton twill dress was worn by a domestic servant in the 1910s. Tees Valley Museums collection. #BoxingDay #fashionhistory

It positively glows, this early 1890s tea gown by Emile Pingat. The variegated black & yellow silk creates a kind of burnished hue, additional drama fashioned in full sleeves & high collar. It seems quite structured for a tea gown but it certainly makes a statement #NatGalleryAus #FashionHistory 🗃️🪡

This pattern book in the V&A museum gives an idea of the types of damask and brocade-style worsted callimancoes that were being made in the late 18th century. Some gorgeous fabrics! collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O77694/...

From the Archive: Embroidery and other Handicraft – A Case Study of a Swedish Aristocratic Family from 1800 to the 1850s (2300 words). www.ikfoundation.org/itextilis/em...

A selection of beautiful firemen’s coats from 19th-century Japan. The coats were reversible — one side was plain and the other side (worn on the inside while tackling blazes) was decorated with rich and symbolic imagery: https://publicdomainreview.org/collection/japanese-firemans-coats-19th-century

The textile history essays will continue to be published in 2026, every 2-3 weeks, and will be freely accessible to all (you can find over 200 essays today). Read more: www.ikfoundation.org/itextilis/es...

The textile history essays will continue to be published in 2026, every 2-3 weeks, and will be freely accessible to all. To ensure it remains free over time, please support… whydonate.com/fundraising/...

One of the makers to feature in my book is Madame Roxey Caplin. She was an inventor & made many adjustments to corsets in the 1850s. This blue corset was displayed at the Great Exhibition in 1851, bringing her to the attention & patronage of Queen Victoria, London Museum #FashionHistory 🗃️🪡

Layering it up in England, c. 1640-1660 Boot hose were worn over silk hose to protect them from the rough interior of leather boots, during the seventeenth century. The large tops of this pair extended over the full breeches. (V&A Museum, London)

Smock, of English make, 1560-1580 (V&A Museum, London)

Sampler, English, c. 1625 - 1650. The creatures here are taken from Richard Shorleyker's pattern book of 1624, "A schole-house, for the needle". The lion and unicorn have acquired accompanying butterflies. A nice touch. (V&A Museum, London)

From the Archive: Decorative Textiles in Home Interiors – A Case Study of Embroideries: 1750s to 1900 (1800 words). www.ikfoundation.org/itextilis/de...

NEW ESSAY from iTEXTILIS: Baby Clothing and Christening – In the Coastal Town of Whitby: 1820s to 1914, North Yorkshire, England.

Just look at the little fans of fabric that decorate the hem of this c1820 gown. Each one has been folded by hand with a piped seam around the edge before being stitched into place. With the blur or warp printed fabric it is so striking @metmuseum.org #FashionHistory 🗃️🪡

Well this is exciting! Book News klaxon & I am so thrilled to share this beautiful cover of my new book Dressing the Queen: 200 Years of Makers & Monarchy which will be published in April 2026. A huge thank you to #ChattoBooks for this most lovely volume. #aitkenalexander

THE ARCTIC, SPITSBERGEN, SVALBARD | This publication features 250 hand-bound copies showcasing the latest scientific insights. It is beautifully designed with in-depth details, including text sections, maps, pictures, artworks, timelines, fold-outs... READ MORE www.ikfoundation.org/books-and-ar...

NEW ESSAY: Baby Clothing and Christening – In the Coastal Town of Whitby: 1820s to 1914. www.ikfoundation.org/itextilis/ba...

From the Archive: The Clothing and Fabric Trade – in London from 1780 to 1914 (1400 words). www.ikfoundation.org/itextilis/th...

It is almost that time of year again, the annual fashion history advent calendar looms & this year I shall use each day to tell a different imaginary story. Last year this #1810s skater provided the perfect tableau for a tale. Keep your eyes peeled! #FIDMMuseum #FashionHistory 🗃️🪡

From the Archive: The Female Weavers – Documentation of 18th & 19th century double interlocked tapestries (1100 words). www.ikfoundation.org/itextilis/th...

This #1890s tea gown comes with options. Worn loose it has the relaxed fit often a part of the ‘at home’ gown it was designed to be but there is also a more fitted choice, fastening the open robe at the waist. I’ll go for the looser version thanks @jbrightcollection.bsky.social #FashionHistory 🗃️🪡

From the Archive: Pollution and Health – Textile Observations by 18th Century Naturalists (2800 words). www.ikfoundation.org/itextilis/po...

The first wintry bite is making itself felt today & thoughts of a cosy cape are very appealing. This early #1880s example is constructed from stranded down filaments & silk so that it is almost weightless but warm. Precursor to the down jacket but in white bobbly style #V&A #FashionHistory 🗃️🪡

The first volume of the Special Issue on Global Economic History @rhi-ihr.bsky.social is now out! It features 4 new articles on 4 commodities in global economic history - salt, ivory, raw cotton, and finished cotton goods - all open access. It was a great experience editing this volume!

A framed wool and silk tapestry panel, worked in gros point and petit point on display at National Trust Croft Castle. @NTCroftCastle Date unknown . #textiletuesday #tapestry

An extraordinary 7th-9th century AD Wari tunic fragment from Peru in @metmuseum.org www.metmuseum.org/art/collecti...

Started off my Huntington U. class on fashion in the long 18th century with rare French and English fashion plates from the Huntington Library's collection. Primary sources FTW!

Journal des Luxus und der Moden, 1792-1793. Fashion plate showing late 18th century female and male fashions. One woman in a white gown, another in a redingote, and a man wearing a jacket and waistcoat with trousers. Collection @rijksmuseum.bsky.social #FashionPlateFriday #dresshistory #18thcentury

NEW ISSUE OUT NOW | Read about ”Yuletide parcel, Field Station and Fieldwork” | The IK Foundation iMESSENGER | November 2025 > www.ikfoundation.org/news/imessen...

From the Archive: Candelabras, Chandeliers and Mirrors with Textile Covers – at a Manor House in 1758 (1200 words). www.ikfoundation.org/itextilis/ca...

The cleverest designs are often those that look most effortless. This 1913 gown by Lucile and worn by Heather Firbank appears to be a twist of ivory silk caught in folds by a high sash of black velvet. Of course the reality is so much more complex #V&A #FashionHistory 🗃️🪡

Today is the OFFICIAL publication day for TEXTILE SHAKESPEARE! Please indulge me: I want to say a little (perhaps rather a lot) about it and share my acknowledgements - and a discount code! Appropriately,🧵1/10

On the materiality of Linnaean fieldwork. Very interesting comment on the apparent absence of telescopes - they cannot have been rare, as there were plenty for maritime and military use. Or were things like telescopes and guns essential expedition kit not worth a mention in this context? #histSTM

NEW ESSAY: The Story No. 8 | Fieldwork – The Linnaean Way | Writing and Drawing during Naturalist Journeys: Part 2. www.ikfoundation.org/itextilis/th...

How to make a statement as a new bride. This is a going away outfit by Madame Hayward, worn in 1899. There would be no fear of missing the newlyweds as they departed after the nuptials in this strikingly coloured and embellished ensemble #KelvingroveArt @ntlmuseumsscot.bsky.social #FashionHistory 🗃️🪡

This beautiful seal bag, embroidered with the Royal Arms of England, was made in 1280 to protect the wax seal attached to a charter from the reign of Edward I. It's a fine example of 'opus anglicanum' - highly-prized English embroideries with gold and silver thread. #Museum30 #Stitch

Lady's work-bag or reticule. Late 1700's or early 1800's, the embroidery is a fine chain stitch resembling tambour work - a popular form of needlework in the eighteenth century. Reticule 64.54.2 #museum30 #Stitch #novascotia

I am so looking forward to sharing stories of makers in my book, published next spring. Caroline Gentry was a crape finisher for Courtaulds at Bocking Mill in Essex. She was one amongst many who created the crinkled fabric worn for mourning, dress c1902 dress @metmuseum.org #FashionHistory 🗃️🪡

From the Archive: Lacemakers and Handicraft: 1750-1775 – a Case Study of Traditions and Commerce (1800 words). www.ikfoundation.org/itextilis/la...

This is one of my favourite silhouettes, the sharp structure created by a c1790 redingote. It has the trappings of male tailoring whilst retaining the contemporary expectations of femininity. And as for the fabric….. #LACMA #FashionHistory 🗃️🪡

Formal garden - illustration to 'Tafeerel van de Belachende Werelt', The Hague, 1635 Adriaen van de Venne (British Museum)