Worn in layers, exhibition Groningen costumes

In the museum farm, in addition to the VR experience of Ede Staal, the exhibition of Groninger costumes from our own collection is on display: 'Worn in layers'.

In it, much attention is paid to the garments that are usually left out of the picture: the undergarments. We show undergarments as they were worn in the province of Groningen in the 19th century. Both for men and women. Did you know that men wore pants much earlier than women? And that these were made of very thick fabric? Come and see, we'll show you.

Many layers of underwear

By the way, in the 18th and 19th centuries, people wore much more underwear than today. Several layers on top of each other. The first layer worn on the skin was always the shirt. For men, as well as for women and children. Women wore a bodice (underskirt) and/or a 'rompke' (chest skirt) over the shirt. Another 'underskirt' could be worn over these. Furthermore, women wore several petticoats. These skirts obviously served to keep warm, but also to shape the outer garment. The ideal image was a woman with a lot of volume around the hips. In costume, they did not wear hoop skirts and crinolines, but a number of petticoats to achieve the desired effect.

Tip cloths

There is also a focus on the tip cloth. Tip cloths were part of the Groninger Dracht as it was worn in our province in the first half of the 19th century. Tip cloths were originally white neckerchiefs made of thin fabric, decorated with white embroidery. They were worn as a triangular cloth, with the point - the 'tip' - on the back. At the time the Groninger Dracht came into being - around 1790 - the tip cloths ensured that the bosom was neatly covered.

New acquisitions textile collection Verhildersum

Verhildersum's textile collection is still growing. We therefore also display some of the garments, jewellery and accessories we have received as donations in recent years.