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purple bonnet

Clothing and dress

Extent
419

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purple bonnet
Sun bonnet worn by women, possibly when working in fields, MERL 68/247

The Museum of English Rural Life holds a variety of clothing and dress from the countryside. The items in the collection include smocks, coats, dresses, skirts, shirts, shawls, boots, shoes, hats and undergarments. There are also clothing accessories of buttons and lace collars.  

The uniform of the Women’s Land Army is also represented in the collection. 

More information

The objects are catalogued on the online database. Search using the word ‘clothing’.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Connected Objects

Author
adm1n
/
Published Date
April 24, 2023

Leghorn Straw Hat

Straw plaiting was a huge industry in the late 1800s. It became the new and main employment of 1000s of women in Berkshire and Hertfordshire.

Hand sewn dress for Discover
Author
Tim Jerrome
/
Published Date
April 21, 2023

Hand sewn dress

This hand sewn cotton dress was made in the early 20th century and is printed with floral designs.

Founder of Glastonbury Festival, Michael Eavis' green wellies
Author
Joe
/
Published Date
May 5, 2017

Wellies

Wellies are an essential part of English outdoor clothing, in rain, snow or mud, your feet are kept warm and dry.

A hand-written object label for a sheep bell from Devon

Looking for a specific item?

We regularly update the collections on our website. If you are after something specific that you can’t find online, please get in touch.