Secrets of Dress

Secrets of Dress
Now Open
Included in general admission
Book tickets

Our fashion gallery has been refreshed, remodelled and enhanced with new items and fresh interpretations!

Not just an exhibition about fashion, ‘Secrets of Dress’ offers an opportunity to look at dress and textiles from the perspective of social history, exploring the stories that clothes and accessories can reveal about peoples’ lives and experiences. Every object has a secret to tell and ‘Secrets of Dress’ provides insights into ways of life that are very different to today and yet very relatable.

From 400-year-old sequins to Second World War Utility shoes, and from the cottage industry of old Yorkshire to the factory-produced fashions of the industrial age, this is social history brought alive by the story of dress.

Important notice: We hold an extensive textiles and dress collection. When it comes to the offer of object donations we assess all offers against the criteria set out in our Collections Development Policy, and can only accept items if they meet the criteria. We are unable to accept objects into the collection which have no accompanying information.

Please do not post or bring object donations to York Castle Museum, as we will not be able to accept these into the collection.

Secrets of Dress

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