Platt Hall - BQSG seminar visit

Just across from our seminar venue, the Martin Luther Centre, was the Platt Gallery. This large house was in danger of being knocked down and redeveloped in the early 1900's; fortunately after a local protest it was bought by the local council. It now houses a collection of costume and there is a chronological display of clothing, starting with the present day. It was amusing to see the iconic items from the 90s, 80s, 70s and 60s.....

The front of Platt Hall...

Dresses and their undergarments....very important for achieving the right shape!

A mans doublet from 1625-35. The doublet or short jacket was worn with hose or breeches, with a sword belt and a linen shirt with collar or ruff. Made of natural linen embroidered with french knots and couched thread. The sleeves are slashed to show the shirt below.

Close up of the fine work of the doublet.

A lovely turkey red dress, sorry about the reflection off the glass case!

Clear signage accompanied the displays.

Another dress made using roller printed cottons.

I was interested to read that most clothes were recycled in some way, either resewn, refashioned or cut down for children's clothes. Some was passed on to servants and there was a large market for old clothes. Eventually, the fabric was made into paper. So ordinary clothes do not survive, only "special occasion clothes" are kept....wedding dresses, court clothes etc....apparently men's trousers were easily recycled and thus very few examples have survived.

I was pleased to find this book...based around the Platt collection, it is a revision of an earlier book  by Tozer and Levitt. Very readable, good illustrations, and with a British, not American slant. And, only £14.99! A great find. Good as an academic reference.....