A world-class collection of contemporary and historical dress. The displays include 150 dressed figures to illustrate the changing styles in fashionable clothes from the late 16th century to the present day, chosen from the museum's collection of 30,000 original items.
The galleries have been completely re - displayed in a series of themes including menswear and womenswear, dress for day and dress for evening, as well as alternative fashion and fashion today. There is a special 'Corsets and Crinolines' display where visitors can try on reproduction garments.
Current Exhibitions:
'17th Century Gloves' - 20 examples of beautifully decorated gloves
'1977' - a photographic display of punk and new wave bands until end 2008.
'Dresses from History' - fourteen historic ensembles from the Georgian, Regency and Victorian period are on display in the museum galleries until end 2008.