#FashionFriday – April 1848

Welcome to April’s first #FashionFriday post! Today’s illustration takes us back to the fashion of April 1848, as we return to the Mary A. Barton Fashion Illustration Collection.

Fashions for April, illustrating a loose fitting coat and 4 dresses all with fitted bodices and full skirts. Top left dress has jewel neckline, 3/4 length, ruffle cuffed sleeves, and net mitts; top center has a jewel neckline, 3/4 oversleeves with wrist length, pleated undersleeves, and brooches pinned to waist; top right has a 'V' neckline with an attached lace capelet with center front bow and ruffle cuffed, 3/4 length sleeves; all top views have lace caps. Left coat dress is simple and fitted with a fold over collar; long, fitted sleeves, and a bonnet. The coat fits loosely over the body and is approximately knee-length with 3/4 sleeves, but the dress has long sleeves; worn with a lace and flower trimmed bonnet. (Published for The New Belle Assemblee: a Magazine for Literature and Fashion)
Image from ISU Digital Collections. Materials from RS 21/7/9 Mary A. Barton Fashion Illustration Collection.

Experience fashion history at home with the digitized fashion plates via ISU Digital Collections. Make sure to check out our other posts about this about this collection for more of our favorite illustrations.

#FashionFriday – 1867 Day Dresses

Here’s another #FashionFriday post, featuring the Mary A. Barton Fashion Illustration Collection. Make sure to check out our other posts about this about this collection for more of our favorite illustrations.

Today’s illustration depicts a group of women in different colors and styles of day dresses. The illustration is captioned “Godey’s Fashions for May 1867”.

Colorful fashion illustration on yellowing paper. The paper is torn in the bottom right hand corner. The text reads "Codey's Fashions for May 1867" and depicts a group of five women in luxurious day dresses.
Image from ISU Digital Collections. Materials from RS 21/7/9 Mary A. Barton Fashion Illustration Collection.

Experience fashion history at home with the digitized fashion plates via ISU Digital Collections.

#FashionFriday – 1813 Fashion Flashback

It’s another #FashionFriday! Let’s revisit the stunning designs of the Mary A. Barton Fashion Illustration Collection. This week we are looking back at some of the fashion illustrations from 1813.

We haven’t look at much men’s fashion in these posts so here is a bit of a treat! Below is an illustration of an 1813 Gentleman’s Frock Coat.

1813 Gentleman’s Frock Coat fashion illustration from collection RS 21/7/9.

As always, feel free to check out the digitized fashion plates via ISU Digital Collections to get a taste of history from home.

Make sure to check out our other posts about this about this collection for more beautiful illustrations.

Images from ISU Digital Collections. Materials from RS 21/7/9 Mary A. Barton Fashion Illustration Collection.

#FashionFriday – 1920s Day Dresses

Welcome back to Cardinal Tales for another #FashionFriday. This week’s post features a long-time favorite: the Mary A. Barton Fashion Illustration Collection. I was scrolling through the digitized fashion plates via ISU Digital Collections, and the colors of these dresses really caught my eye. Enjoy!

Above are two illustrations of dropwaisted day dresses from May of 1921. Below is an illustration of some vibrant day dresses from August of 1919.

1919 Day Dress Illustration RS 21/7/9 Mary A. Barton Fashion Illustration Collection.

Images from ISU Digital Collections. Materials from RS 21/7/9 Mary A. Barton Fashion Illustration Collection.

Make sure to check out our other posts about this about this collection for more beautiful illustrations.

#Fashionfriday – 1807 Garden dresses

Let’s revisit the Mary A. Barton Fashion Illustration Collection for this #FashionFriday! We have posted about this collection a few times before so feel free to check out those posts after this one. This collection is always a joy to explore, and this illustration of Kensington Garden Dresses from 1807 was no exception.

Image from RS 21/7/9 Mary A. Barton Fashion Illustration Collection Box 1.

#FashionFriday: 1800-1810

Mary A. Barton, an Iowa State Alumni, has been regarded as one of the best quilt makers of all time. Special Collections now stores her collection of fashion illustrations from years 1776 – 2008. I was very excited to explore this collection, and share some highlights with you all. However, due to the massive amount of these gorgeous fashion illustrations, I’ve decided to focus this blog post only on the ones from 1800-1810. Of course, there are still so many lovely illustrations from this ten-year period that this post will be featuring just a few of my favorites.

All of the materials in this post can be found in box 1 of the Mary A. Barton Fashion Illustration Collection, RS 21/7/9. Feel free to stop into the reading room to view these incredible artifacts, and many more, in person. Or view some of the digitized fashion images from this collection in our digital collections.

Additionally, we have posted a few other things from this collection, so check out those posts as well.

Fashion Show Flashback – 80s Edition

The annual Fashion Show event, currently put on by the Department of Apparel, Events, and Hospitality Management (AESHM), has provided students a chance to show off their designs to an eager audience for 37 years. Over the years, this student-run event has highlighted countless beautiful outfits designed by Iowa State students. Here are some of our favorite outfits from shows of the 1980s!

1982 Fashion Show

1983 Fashion Show

1985 Fashion Show

1987 Fashion Show

1988 Fashion Show

All of these images (and much more information on fashion shows of the past) can be found in Special Collections RS 29/2/4 Fashion Show Records (1982-2017). There are several  boxes in this collection but everything featured in this post can be found in box 1.

What a wild ride! 80s fashion is always worth looking back on. Which outfit was your favorite?