A Wardrobe of One’s Own: Dissident Femininities in the 19th century

A Wardrobe of One’s Own: Dissident Femininities in the 19th Century examines the appropriation of male dress codes by women in the nineteenth century and its connection to changing ideas of femininity, identity and women’s place in society. Bringing together almost five hundred works, the exhibition presents clothing and accessories including Amazonian costumes, trousers, tailored suits, cravats, bow ties and top hats, alongside paintings, fashion posters and 150 amateur photographs. A central focus is the previously unseen wardrobe of Rosa Bonheur, presented in its entirety. The juxtaposition of garments, silhouettes and images explores the cultural and social significance of fashion and considers how the masculinisation of women’s clothing challenges the gender binaries that structure nineteenth-century society. The exhibition follows diverse expressions of femininity, from women adopting men’s clothing to working women in suits and boots and the styles associated with artistic and lesbian Paris around 1900. Historical figures appear alongside numerous anonymous women documented through vernacular photography, creating a broader portrait of changing wardrobes. The exhibition also connects these historical developments with contemporary questions surrounding clothing, identity and social roles.