Contemporary Halloween celebrations offer an opportunity for young and old to dress in costume, but in the 19th and early 20th century, Halloween was primarily geared towards children. Adults who wanted to dress in costume attended or hosted fancy dress balls. Not connected to a specific holiday, fancy dress balls and parties took place throughout the year and could be small private events or large-scale public fundraisers. Some fancy dress balls were thematic and related to contemporary or historic events while others were more open, simply requiring attendees to come in costume. Unlike the macabre and/or sexy Halloween costumes of today, fancy dress costumes covered a much broader range of topics: historic figures, works of art, pieces of furniture, natural phenomena, animals and popular novels or plays. Suggested costumes were published in fashion periodicals and in descriptive manuals. The fancy dress featured below represents an undetermined character, though it might represent a gypsy or fortune-teller. Fancy dress costumec. 1883-87Swan & EdgarGift of Helen Larson Estate2001.31.15AB
Art of Television Costume Design Exhibition at FIDM Museum
FIDM Museum's Art of Motion Picture Costume Design Exhibit 2020
Day dress, 1841-42, FIDM Museum - The Dreamstress
The 28th Art of Motion Picture Costume Design Exhibition is On
Fancy dress - FIDM Museum
Funding the Larson Historic Fashion Collection for the FIDM Museum
The fashion cycle: The past is now - Daily Bruin
FIDM Museum Art of Costume Design Exhibit 2023, Photos
Day Gown FIDM Museum & Galleries
FIDM Museum Art of Costume Design Exhibit 2023, PHOTOS
FIDM Unveils Academy Award-Nominated Costumes and Other Movie
23rd Annual Art of Motion Picture Costume Design Exhibition - FIDM
Day dress, 1841-42, silk, metal, crinoline, FIDM Museum, 2010.5
FIDM Museum Art of Costume Design Exhibit 2023, Photos
FIDM Museum opens exhibit with TV show costumes - Beverly Press
