Amy Wilson
@amywilsonstorey.bsky.social
18thC clothing for pregnancy @UniofExeter | @Costume_Society | public history | museums | project management | FRSA http://Amywilsonstorey.com
Babiesinmuseums.com
Babiesinmuseums.com
Join me tomorrow for the #18thcentury conference of #cossoc25 As guest speaker I will be talking about cleanliness, virtue, fertility and women’s fashion.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/in-the-sha...
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/in-the-sha...
October 24, 2025 at 9:58 AM
Join me tomorrow for the #18thcentury conference of #cossoc25 As guest speaker I will be talking about cleanliness, virtue, fertility and women’s fashion.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/in-the-sha...
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/in-the-sha...
What did #18thcentury women wear when they were pregnant? What did a ‘good’ mother look like? Which fashion was both patriotic and recommended by midwives? For the answers to all these questions join me at the #IHR on 7th Oct archive.history.ac.uk/events/good-...
September 26, 2025 at 11:56 AM
What did #18thcentury women wear when they were pregnant? What did a ‘good’ mother look like? Which fashion was both patriotic and recommended by midwives? For the answers to all these questions join me at the #IHR on 7th Oct archive.history.ac.uk/events/good-...
Congratulations #brunelmuseum.bsky.social on your new display including Marc Brunel’s silver shoe buckle’s beautifully conserved with support from the #CostumeSociety #18thC #eighteenthcentury
September 17, 2025 at 11:13 PM
Congratulations #brunelmuseum.bsky.social on your new display including Marc Brunel’s silver shoe buckle’s beautifully conserved with support from the #CostumeSociety #18thC #eighteenthcentury
I will be talking about ‘good’ mothers and #18thC fashion as guest speaker at the Costume Society’s annual #conference
Ticketing open now
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/in-the-sha...
Ticketing open now
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/in-the-sha...
September 16, 2025 at 4:47 PM
I will be talking about ‘good’ mothers and #18thC fashion as guest speaker at the Costume Society’s annual #conference
Ticketing open now
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/in-the-sha...
Ticketing open now
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/in-the-sha...
Special blue benches were placed around Sidcup near the hospital so soldiers with facial injuries could sit in peace. Passersby knew an injured soldier might be sitting there.
June 17, 2025 at 3:45 PM
Special blue benches were placed around Sidcup near the hospital so soldiers with facial injuries could sit in peace. Passersby knew an injured soldier might be sitting there.
Thank you #V&AEastStorehouse for the exciting opportunity to #orderanobject today. It was a treat and an honour to research this truly beautiful mantua gown in person. #eighteenthcentury @V&AEast
June 9, 2025 at 9:06 PM
Thank you #V&AEastStorehouse for the exciting opportunity to #orderanobject today. It was a treat and an honour to research this truly beautiful mantua gown in person. #eighteenthcentury @V&AEast
#MaternityMondays
#maternalbodies #pregnancyclothing past + present
The Fashion Museum dress of the year 2021 was by Giorgio Armani + worn by Meghan, Duchess of Sussex for the CBS tv show Oprah with Meghan and Harry. Meghan was 6 months pregnant, the lotus motif was chosen to represent rebirth.
#maternalbodies #pregnancyclothing past + present
The Fashion Museum dress of the year 2021 was by Giorgio Armani + worn by Meghan, Duchess of Sussex for the CBS tv show Oprah with Meghan and Harry. Meghan was 6 months pregnant, the lotus motif was chosen to represent rebirth.
June 2, 2025 at 1:31 PM
#MaternityMondays
#maternalbodies #pregnancyclothing past + present
The Fashion Museum dress of the year 2021 was by Giorgio Armani + worn by Meghan, Duchess of Sussex for the CBS tv show Oprah with Meghan and Harry. Meghan was 6 months pregnant, the lotus motif was chosen to represent rebirth.
#maternalbodies #pregnancyclothing past + present
The Fashion Museum dress of the year 2021 was by Giorgio Armani + worn by Meghan, Duchess of Sussex for the CBS tv show Oprah with Meghan and Harry. Meghan was 6 months pregnant, the lotus motif was chosen to represent rebirth.
#MaternityMondays
#maternalbodies #pregnancyclothing past + present
Queen Charlotte 1767 by Francis Cotes - In this portrait Queen Charlotte holds her 4th child princess Charlotte while she was pregnant with her 5th child Prince Edward. She wears a white silk sacque gown with lots of gold brocade
#maternalbodies #pregnancyclothing past + present
Queen Charlotte 1767 by Francis Cotes - In this portrait Queen Charlotte holds her 4th child princess Charlotte while she was pregnant with her 5th child Prince Edward. She wears a white silk sacque gown with lots of gold brocade
May 19, 2025 at 10:14 AM
#MaternityMondays
#maternalbodies #pregnancyclothing past + present
Queen Charlotte 1767 by Francis Cotes - In this portrait Queen Charlotte holds her 4th child princess Charlotte while she was pregnant with her 5th child Prince Edward. She wears a white silk sacque gown with lots of gold brocade
#maternalbodies #pregnancyclothing past + present
Queen Charlotte 1767 by Francis Cotes - In this portrait Queen Charlotte holds her 4th child princess Charlotte while she was pregnant with her 5th child Prince Edward. She wears a white silk sacque gown with lots of gold brocade
#MaternityMondays
#maternalbodies #pregnancyclothing past + present
1921 catalogue of maternity uniforms for nurses. Two dresses on the right have an elasticated waistband, but there is no adjustment to the length of the front hem. None of the models are visibly pregnant.
#maternalbodies #pregnancyclothing past + present
1921 catalogue of maternity uniforms for nurses. Two dresses on the right have an elasticated waistband, but there is no adjustment to the length of the front hem. None of the models are visibly pregnant.
April 14, 2025 at 9:23 AM
#MaternityMondays
#maternalbodies #pregnancyclothing past + present
1921 catalogue of maternity uniforms for nurses. Two dresses on the right have an elasticated waistband, but there is no adjustment to the length of the front hem. None of the models are visibly pregnant.
#maternalbodies #pregnancyclothing past + present
1921 catalogue of maternity uniforms for nurses. Two dresses on the right have an elasticated waistband, but there is no adjustment to the length of the front hem. None of the models are visibly pregnant.
Maybe there is. Ever been to The Ashmolean Museum in Oxford?
March 27, 2025 at 10:36 PM
Maybe there is. Ever been to The Ashmolean Museum in Oxford?
#MaternityMondays
#maternalbodies #pregnancyclothing past + present
Henrietta Maria
after Sir Anthony Van Dyck 1636 pregnant with her 6th child. Her pose emphasises the shape of her maternal body.
#maternalbodies #pregnancyclothing past + present
Henrietta Maria
after Sir Anthony Van Dyck 1636 pregnant with her 6th child. Her pose emphasises the shape of her maternal body.
March 24, 2025 at 12:00 AM
#MaternityMondays
#maternalbodies #pregnancyclothing past + present
Henrietta Maria
after Sir Anthony Van Dyck 1636 pregnant with her 6th child. Her pose emphasises the shape of her maternal body.
#maternalbodies #pregnancyclothing past + present
Henrietta Maria
after Sir Anthony Van Dyck 1636 pregnant with her 6th child. Her pose emphasises the shape of her maternal body.
#MaternityMondays
#maternalbodies #pregnancyclothing past + present
Anne, Lady Pope with her children
by Marcus Gheeraerts the Younger. This 1596 portrait shows how elite Elizabethan women dressed when pregnant. Pearls were a symbol of fertility and appear all over Lady Pope’s gown.
#maternalbodies #pregnancyclothing past + present
Anne, Lady Pope with her children
by Marcus Gheeraerts the Younger. This 1596 portrait shows how elite Elizabethan women dressed when pregnant. Pearls were a symbol of fertility and appear all over Lady Pope’s gown.
March 16, 2025 at 10:24 PM
#MaternityMondays
#maternalbodies #pregnancyclothing past + present
Anne, Lady Pope with her children
by Marcus Gheeraerts the Younger. This 1596 portrait shows how elite Elizabethan women dressed when pregnant. Pearls were a symbol of fertility and appear all over Lady Pope’s gown.
#maternalbodies #pregnancyclothing past + present
Anne, Lady Pope with her children
by Marcus Gheeraerts the Younger. This 1596 portrait shows how elite Elizabethan women dressed when pregnant. Pearls were a symbol of fertility and appear all over Lady Pope’s gown.
#MaternityMondays
#maternalbodies #pregnancyclothing past + present
In 2021 Ellie Goulding gave an interview to Vogue and the Telegraph in which she explain how she valued the opportunity that lock down provided to keep her pregnancy private.
#maternalbodies #pregnancyclothing past + present
In 2021 Ellie Goulding gave an interview to Vogue and the Telegraph in which she explain how she valued the opportunity that lock down provided to keep her pregnancy private.
March 10, 2025 at 7:32 PM
#MaternityMondays
#maternalbodies #pregnancyclothing past + present
In 2021 Ellie Goulding gave an interview to Vogue and the Telegraph in which she explain how she valued the opportunity that lock down provided to keep her pregnancy private.
#maternalbodies #pregnancyclothing past + present
In 2021 Ellie Goulding gave an interview to Vogue and the Telegraph in which she explain how she valued the opportunity that lock down provided to keep her pregnancy private.
#MaternityMondays
#maternalbodies #pregnancyclothing past + present
A scene in the New farce called the rivals or a Visit to the Heir Presumptive - In March 1819 baby Prince George was born heir to the British throne this lasted 2 months until his cousin Queen Victoria was born 8 weeks later.
#maternalbodies #pregnancyclothing past + present
A scene in the New farce called the rivals or a Visit to the Heir Presumptive - In March 1819 baby Prince George was born heir to the British throne this lasted 2 months until his cousin Queen Victoria was born 8 weeks later.
March 3, 2025 at 1:21 PM
#MaternityMondays
#maternalbodies #pregnancyclothing past + present
A scene in the New farce called the rivals or a Visit to the Heir Presumptive - In March 1819 baby Prince George was born heir to the British throne this lasted 2 months until his cousin Queen Victoria was born 8 weeks later.
#maternalbodies #pregnancyclothing past + present
A scene in the New farce called the rivals or a Visit to the Heir Presumptive - In March 1819 baby Prince George was born heir to the British throne this lasted 2 months until his cousin Queen Victoria was born 8 weeks later.
#MaternityMondays
#maternalbodies #pregnancyclothing past + present
Saskia van Uylenburgh in Arcadian
Costume, 1635 by Rembrandt depicts the artists wife while pregnant. In 2020 the National Gallery London makes no mention of her pregnancy in their interpretation label. #nationalgallerylondon
#maternalbodies #pregnancyclothing past + present
Saskia van Uylenburgh in Arcadian
Costume, 1635 by Rembrandt depicts the artists wife while pregnant. In 2020 the National Gallery London makes no mention of her pregnancy in their interpretation label. #nationalgallerylondon
February 24, 2025 at 1:23 PM
#MaternityMondays
#maternalbodies #pregnancyclothing past + present
Saskia van Uylenburgh in Arcadian
Costume, 1635 by Rembrandt depicts the artists wife while pregnant. In 2020 the National Gallery London makes no mention of her pregnancy in their interpretation label. #nationalgallerylondon
#maternalbodies #pregnancyclothing past + present
Saskia van Uylenburgh in Arcadian
Costume, 1635 by Rembrandt depicts the artists wife while pregnant. In 2020 the National Gallery London makes no mention of her pregnancy in their interpretation label. #nationalgallerylondon
#MaternityMondays
#maternalbodies #pregnancyclothing past + present
This c.1900 maternity corset from the collection at the V&A Museum London has side laces to adapt to changes in body shape / size and poppers over each breast to facilitate breastfeeding.
#maternalbodies #pregnancyclothing past + present
This c.1900 maternity corset from the collection at the V&A Museum London has side laces to adapt to changes in body shape / size and poppers over each breast to facilitate breastfeeding.
February 17, 2025 at 10:44 AM
#MaternityMondays
#maternalbodies #pregnancyclothing past + present
This c.1900 maternity corset from the collection at the V&A Museum London has side laces to adapt to changes in body shape / size and poppers over each breast to facilitate breastfeeding.
#maternalbodies #pregnancyclothing past + present
This c.1900 maternity corset from the collection at the V&A Museum London has side laces to adapt to changes in body shape / size and poppers over each breast to facilitate breastfeeding.
#MaternityMondays
#maternalbodies #pregnancyclothing past + present
1943 US ad for maternity shirts. Focus on utility, comfort and discreet pregnancy concealment. A subtle hint that the left shirt was designed to fit changes in bust size. #WW2 in UK pregnancy meant extra clothing rations.
#maternalbodies #pregnancyclothing past + present
1943 US ad for maternity shirts. Focus on utility, comfort and discreet pregnancy concealment. A subtle hint that the left shirt was designed to fit changes in bust size. #WW2 in UK pregnancy meant extra clothing rations.
February 11, 2025 at 12:48 AM
#MaternityMondays
#maternalbodies #pregnancyclothing past + present
1943 US ad for maternity shirts. Focus on utility, comfort and discreet pregnancy concealment. A subtle hint that the left shirt was designed to fit changes in bust size. #WW2 in UK pregnancy meant extra clothing rations.
#maternalbodies #pregnancyclothing past + present
1943 US ad for maternity shirts. Focus on utility, comfort and discreet pregnancy concealment. A subtle hint that the left shirt was designed to fit changes in bust size. #WW2 in UK pregnancy meant extra clothing rations.
#MaternityMondays
#maternalbodies #pregnancyclothing past + present
Venus by Claire Partington, 2015, ceramic figurine. Here Venus encompasses symbols of The Madonna and Hindu mother Goddess Parvati and #21stC ‘every woman’. There are symbols of birth and death and the passage of time. #pregnancy
#maternalbodies #pregnancyclothing past + present
Venus by Claire Partington, 2015, ceramic figurine. Here Venus encompasses symbols of The Madonna and Hindu mother Goddess Parvati and #21stC ‘every woman’. There are symbols of birth and death and the passage of time. #pregnancy
February 3, 2025 at 12:42 PM
#MaternityMondays
#maternalbodies #pregnancyclothing past + present
Venus by Claire Partington, 2015, ceramic figurine. Here Venus encompasses symbols of The Madonna and Hindu mother Goddess Parvati and #21stC ‘every woman’. There are symbols of birth and death and the passage of time. #pregnancy
#maternalbodies #pregnancyclothing past + present
Venus by Claire Partington, 2015, ceramic figurine. Here Venus encompasses symbols of The Madonna and Hindu mother Goddess Parvati and #21stC ‘every woman’. There are symbols of birth and death and the passage of time. #pregnancy
It’s gorgeous. This version of her portrait (from Brighton Museums) makes her pregnancy a little more noticeable.
February 2, 2025 at 10:02 AM
It’s gorgeous. This version of her portrait (from Brighton Museums) makes her pregnancy a little more noticeable.
#MaternityMondays
#maternalbodies #pregnancyclothing past + present
A rare photo of Princess Margaret in 1961 when pregnant with her 1st child. Her flowing dress covers the detailed shape of her maternal body and pleating of the fabric could move and adapt to her changing shape.
#maternalbodies #pregnancyclothing past + present
A rare photo of Princess Margaret in 1961 when pregnant with her 1st child. Her flowing dress covers the detailed shape of her maternal body and pleating of the fabric could move and adapt to her changing shape.
January 27, 2025 at 12:24 PM
#MaternityMondays
#maternalbodies #pregnancyclothing past + present
A rare photo of Princess Margaret in 1961 when pregnant with her 1st child. Her flowing dress covers the detailed shape of her maternal body and pleating of the fabric could move and adapt to her changing shape.
#maternalbodies #pregnancyclothing past + present
A rare photo of Princess Margaret in 1961 when pregnant with her 1st child. Her flowing dress covers the detailed shape of her maternal body and pleating of the fabric could move and adapt to her changing shape.
#MaternityMondays
#maternalbodies #pregnancyclothing past + present
2022 ad for Seraphine maternity-wear. Shockingly it is standard today for non-pregnant models to pad their bodies for maternity clothing ads. This is therefore not actually a maternal body at all but it
“kinda” looks like one
#maternalbodies #pregnancyclothing past + present
2022 ad for Seraphine maternity-wear. Shockingly it is standard today for non-pregnant models to pad their bodies for maternity clothing ads. This is therefore not actually a maternal body at all but it
“kinda” looks like one
January 20, 2025 at 2:32 PM
#MaternityMondays
#maternalbodies #pregnancyclothing past + present
2022 ad for Seraphine maternity-wear. Shockingly it is standard today for non-pregnant models to pad their bodies for maternity clothing ads. This is therefore not actually a maternal body at all but it
“kinda” looks like one
#maternalbodies #pregnancyclothing past + present
2022 ad for Seraphine maternity-wear. Shockingly it is standard today for non-pregnant models to pad their bodies for maternity clothing ads. This is therefore not actually a maternal body at all but it
“kinda” looks like one
#MaternityMondays
#maternalbodies #pregnancyclothing past + present
When Lucille Ball became pregnant in 1952 she persuaded producers to incorporate her pregnancy into storylines of I Love Lucy. She was one of the 1st pregnant women on US TV. (But the words pregnant /pregnancy were never used.)
#maternalbodies #pregnancyclothing past + present
When Lucille Ball became pregnant in 1952 she persuaded producers to incorporate her pregnancy into storylines of I Love Lucy. She was one of the 1st pregnant women on US TV. (But the words pregnant /pregnancy were never used.)
January 13, 2025 at 7:29 PM
#MaternityMondays
#maternalbodies #pregnancyclothing past + present
When Lucille Ball became pregnant in 1952 she persuaded producers to incorporate her pregnancy into storylines of I Love Lucy. She was one of the 1st pregnant women on US TV. (But the words pregnant /pregnancy were never used.)
#maternalbodies #pregnancyclothing past + present
When Lucille Ball became pregnant in 1952 she persuaded producers to incorporate her pregnancy into storylines of I Love Lucy. She was one of the 1st pregnant women on US TV. (But the words pregnant /pregnancy were never used.)
Allocating the right nouns can be tricky in part because the concept of nations in political/cultural terms were evolving then and are different again today. Anyway - Here are some of the historic costumes I have been researching recently.
January 7, 2025 at 10:17 AM
Allocating the right nouns can be tricky in part because the concept of nations in political/cultural terms were evolving then and are different again today. Anyway - Here are some of the historic costumes I have been researching recently.
#MaternityMondays
#maternalbodies #pregnancyclothing past + present
A 1962 ad for Mothercare. The ‘hand on belly’ maternal arm positioning is both protective and communicates a pregnancy to others. Meanwhile peaceful animals symbolise maternal values, nurturing+natural mothering instincts.
#maternalbodies #pregnancyclothing past + present
A 1962 ad for Mothercare. The ‘hand on belly’ maternal arm positioning is both protective and communicates a pregnancy to others. Meanwhile peaceful animals symbolise maternal values, nurturing+natural mothering instincts.
January 6, 2025 at 12:34 PM
#MaternityMondays
#maternalbodies #pregnancyclothing past + present
A 1962 ad for Mothercare. The ‘hand on belly’ maternal arm positioning is both protective and communicates a pregnancy to others. Meanwhile peaceful animals symbolise maternal values, nurturing+natural mothering instincts.
#maternalbodies #pregnancyclothing past + present
A 1962 ad for Mothercare. The ‘hand on belly’ maternal arm positioning is both protective and communicates a pregnancy to others. Meanwhile peaceful animals symbolise maternal values, nurturing+natural mothering instincts.
#MaternityMondays
#maternalbodies #pregnancyclothing past + present
‘Naked Portrait 2002’ depicts a pregnant Kate Moss and is the work of Lucian Freud. A film about Moss & Freud and the making of their portrait is currently in post-production.
#maternalbodies #pregnancyclothing past + present
‘Naked Portrait 2002’ depicts a pregnant Kate Moss and is the work of Lucian Freud. A film about Moss & Freud and the making of their portrait is currently in post-production.
December 30, 2024 at 7:20 PM
#MaternityMondays
#maternalbodies #pregnancyclothing past + present
‘Naked Portrait 2002’ depicts a pregnant Kate Moss and is the work of Lucian Freud. A film about Moss & Freud and the making of their portrait is currently in post-production.
#maternalbodies #pregnancyclothing past + present
‘Naked Portrait 2002’ depicts a pregnant Kate Moss and is the work of Lucian Freud. A film about Moss & Freud and the making of their portrait is currently in post-production.