Women in History: Victorian Nightgowns and the Stories they Tell

Women’s nightwear during the Victorian period was an "unmentionable" topic. Carol Kenealy will bring this history to light, showing examples of women’s nightgowns from 1860 to 1900 and sharing how they were influenced by fashion, fabrics, sewing techniques, lifestyles and customs.

With each nightgown, Carol will discuss the major historical events of the decade it represents.  Specific topics of interest will be the woven cloth industry, the first sewing machines for domestic use, the pearl button industry, different types of ruffles, nightcaps and the introduction of readymade nightgowns.