Introduction
Knowing how to put a costume together can really enhance it, whether at Halloween or any other occasion. The art of costuming is practiced on a regular basis for theatre, parties, and a range of special events. If used correctly, each item in a costume can greatly enhance the overall look. Almost anything can be part of the right costume, but when a project has special demands, there’s a huge range of impressive styles and items offered by history and by all the cultures of the world. These costuming resources will inspire and inform, so you can let your imagination soar with your next costume project.
Main Garment
International Committee for the Museums and Collections of Costumes: Main Garment: Brief illustrated guide to the variations of what may constitute a “main garment” for costume purposes.
The Costume Archives at Williams College: Large number of detailed, high-resolution images from the costume archive of the Williams College theater department. Complete view and zoom available.
Fashion Encyclopedia: Range of informative articles on topics pertaining to fashion, including individual items as well as fashion designers and others who influenced fashion, from the ancient world to present.
Open Directory of Costume Resources: Index of verified Internet resources on all aspects of costuming.
Outerwear
Multnash County Library Costuming Resources: Further resources, including illustrated guides to men’s and women’s fashions by century.
Costume How-To: Jackets, Masks, And More: How-to information from The Costumer’s Manifesto, which also includes detailed articles on all other aspects of costuming covered by this guide.
The History of Costume: High-resolution, colored plates depicting the national costume from a large range of nations and time periods. Ranges from the ancient world to the late nineteenth century.
The Museum of Costume: Includes a vast amount of educational and informational content, illustrations, paintings, photographs, exhibitions and more pertaining to historical and contemporary clothing and outerwear.
Underwear
Historical Lingerie Pictures: High-resolution reproductions of images and articles pertaining to lingerie in periodicals, newspapers, and similar journalistic sources over time.
Fashion History of Undergarments, Crinolines, Bustles, Corsets, and Bras: Illustrated compendium of informative articles pertaining mainly to feminine undergarments and shaping garments. Searchable.
History of Underwear: Focuses mainly on male undergarments.
The Petticoat: Description and illustrations pertaining to the petticoat, focusing on its use in women’s fashion in 18th century New England.
Supporting/Shaping Structures
Antique Corsets Gallery: Extremely high-resolution photography and detailed descriptions of corsets across five different time periods, from the pre-Victorian era to World War I.
History of the Bra: Article from The Times of India commemorating the 100th anniversary of the modern bra.
Night Wear
Vintage Nightwear: A History: Description of nightwear history and styles.
Accessories
History of the Hanky: All about the handkerchief and its various symbolic uses throughout history, in the context of how it came to be associated with weddings.
- head
A Brief History of Hats, Their Parts, Sizing and Manufacture: Thorough website displaying all manner of hats and discussing their history and how they are made. Illustrated.
Illustrated History of Women’s Hats: Lavishly illustrated history of feminine hats.
- hairdressings
Online Costume Library: Illustrated Index of Women’s Hairstyle History: Online collection of fashion plates, photos, and information pertaining to women’s hairstyles through the ages.
Theatre on a Shoestring: Makeup, Mask and Wig Resources: Variety of quality Internet resources on the construction, decoration, and wearing of masks and wigs, and the application of makeup for theatrical purposes.
How to Make Wigs Step By Step: Wig-making tutorial with a variety of diagrams and illustrations.
Classic Hair Styles: Illustrated and well-explained index of information on vintage hairstyles.
- face
The Making and Wearing of Masks: Very detailed look at the role, making, and use of masks. Focuses mainly on the theater, but also covers a variety of other topics
Exploring Masks and Their Uses: Basic overview of masks; includes a large number of great links for further reading.
Masks of Africa: Archived information on an exhibit featured at the Museum of Ancient and Modern Art in northern California. Includes top-notch illustrations as well as information on the tribal use of masks.
Kabuki Costumes and Makeup: All about kabuki costumes and makeup and their part in this traditional form of Japanese theater. Illustrated.
Basic Application of Stage Makeup: Basic tutorial on the correct use of makeup for stage purposes.
- above waist
Historical and Commemorative Medals: High-resolution images and descriptions of various military medals and awards.
Illustrated Medals of the World: Another great resource of world medals, ribbons, and official decorations by country.
Academia Cravatica: Detailed educational material on the cravat, a fashion accessory that served as the historical forerunner to the modern necktie.
- at waist and below
Native American Beadwork, Wampum Belts, Accessories: Information and illustrations for a variety of Native American accessories. Includes a large number of links for further information.
The Sash: All about the Metis sash, a traditional accessory found in Quebec.
- arms and hands
History of Gloves from Luxury Magazine: Detailed history of gloves.
- legs and feet
Stockings: Photography and History: Information focusing on women’s nylons.
Footwear From the Renaissance to Today: Compendium of information articles containing a huge amount of information on styles, materials, and the importance of various forms of footwear across time.
Illustrated Footwear Encyclopedia: Illustrations of footwear along with vignettes about their origin, style, and other pertinent data. Largely written from a contemporary perspective.
Written by Michael S. Atwood