Blandford Fashion Museum

Blandford Fashion Museum houses an exquisite collection of over 1,000 costumes and fashion accessories spanning from the 1730s to the present day, with particular strength in Georgian period dress. This remarkable collection showcases the evolution of fashion through beautifully preserved garments, hats, shoes, undergarments, and accessories. The museum’s Georgian setting in a historic Blandford townhouse provides perfect context for the elegant period costumes. Regularly changing displays focus on different eras and themes, from Georgian court dress to Victorian mourning wear, Edwardian elegance to 1960s fashion revolution. The collection includes rare examples of 18th-century mantuas, embroidered waistcoats, crinolines, and early sewing machines. Knowledgeable volunteers share fascinating details about fabrics, construction techniques, and social history revealed through clothing. Special exhibitions and events include costume-making workshops and historical fashion talks. An absolute treasure for fashion historians, costume enthusiasts, and anyone fascinated by historical dress.