Wilton Historical Society Fashion Exhibition: A Century of Style: 1860 – 1960

Inspired by the upcoming New York Fashion Week, the Wilton Historical Society is presenting a fashion exhibition, A Century of Style: 1860 – 1960, which will open on Saturday, Aug. 25, and run through Oct. 6. Decade by decade, the exhibition traces evolving styles in women’s special occasion garb.

From an all-white cotton lace flounced dress suitable for a tea party in a garden to a Jackie Kennedy-esque beige A-line with rhinestone accented bow, an Edwardian bridesmaid dress with train to a sophisticated wasp-waisted 1940s dress with matching custom-made suede shoes, style trends are captured in these carefully saved clothes which had special significance to their owners.

Also on display are an acid-green, silk, high-necked gown with black netting and jet beads from the late 1880s, which came from the Elizabeth Ambler Estate, and was possibly worn by Betty Ambler’s grandmother. Lady Mary Crawley of Downton Abbey would have looked stunning in the black chiffon flapper dress accented with rhinestones for a night on the town. A display of purses and women’s shoes rounds out the show.

The exhibition was developed by the Wilton Historical Society, Pamela Hovland, and Megan Smith-Harris.