This is a guide to selected sources of information related to costume history available at the Robert L. Carothers Library and Learning Commons. Use the various tabs across the top to browse the resources available on Costume History.

Dictionaries, Encyclopedias, Guides and Directories help to familiarize you with both historical and contemporary terms regarding garments and fashion. They provide an overview of historic periods as well as various garments that were fashionable in specific parts of the world.  

Costume and Fashion Histories cover specific time periods and provide colorful illustrations or photographs. 

The Articles tab leads you to scholarly journals that can provide social, cultural, and historical information relating to world dress and costume. Contact us at the Info & Research Help Desk if you need help searching for articles.

Primary Sources include the art of a particluar period, portraits, museum collections, newspapers, films, photographs, catalogs, and advertisements. Did you know that URI has some outstanding collections right here on campus? View this section to find out more and then go check them out for yourself!

Online Sources point you to some of the many web sites that provide access to costume collections held by other unversities, museums or historical preservation organizations.

We have a wealth of resources at the library that you can check out for your research; the catalog provides access to those materials.

Guide originally created by Mimi Keefe; rev. 11/00; rev. Barbara Kenney, 4/02; rev. Mimi Keefe 9/02; rev. Mary MacDonald & Carina Cournoyer 1/07; reformatted and updated by Lisa Richter 5/10; rev. Angela Pugliese 11/13