Unveiling The Harris’ Historic Garments Collection

At The Harris, we’re privileged to house a stunning collection of garments that tell the stories of fashion, culture, and personal history over the centuries. From elegant ball gowns to distinctive men’s suits, each piece in our collection offers a glimpse into the past. Here are some highlights that showcase the rich sartorial history of Preston.

One of the most exquisite pieces in our collection is a white brocaded and striped silk gown, adorned with a delicate floral motif which was worn at the Preston Guild Ball in 1822. The dress underwent a careful conservation process in the early 1990s, during which a belt and long transparent over sleeves were added to restore its former glory. The design for the reconstructed sleeves was meticulously taken from Janet Arnold’s renowned work, Patterns of Fashion I. 

Created from a wool and acrylic mix with a distinctive houndstooth weave in blue, white, and brown, this suit is a classic example of the sharp tailoring that defined the decade. Sold at Carley’s Men’s Shop in Preston during the 1970s, crafted by Yorkers / London Tailored.

We simply adore this stunning dress made from ivory moiré taffeta, worn by Miss Anne Agnes to the Preston Guild Ball in 1842. She was just seventeen years old at the time, and this gown, with its luxurious fabric and elegant design, would have made her the belle of the ball.

The 1950s brought us the beloved children’s toy, Fuzzy Felt, but one creative from Preston took it to a whole new level. Caroline, from Frenchwood Knoll, transformed this playful material into a fashion statement, embellishing a grey dress with puff sleeves with fuzzy shapes. This dress is just one of over 30 felt-decorated garments she generously donated to The Harris. And here’s a fun fact: Caroline even painted a self-portrait wearing this very dress.

Would you wear this stunning blue evening dress? With its short sleeves, wrap-over style top, and a long skirt split from the waist, all edged with delicate beading, it’s a showstopper.

We conclude our journey with a truly special piece: a Mary, Queen of Scots costume worn by Mrs. Ida Woods, Preston’s Mayoress from 1894-1895. She wore this historic costume to the Guild Costume Ball in 1902, complete with intricate pearl collar detailing. 

Each garment in our collection has a story to tell, connecting us to the past and inspiring future generations. We invite you to explore these pieces and many more on our collections page.

Harris Your Place

Harris Your Place is a £16 million project set to restore and reimagine the Harris for 21st-century audiences as a cultural learning space. The aim of this project is to protect the building and the architecture for future generations whilst enhancing accessibility options and positioning the Harris as a community hub for Preston and Lancashire.

The capital project is more than simply preserving this much-loved building; Harris wants to ensure that it remains a vibrant heart of the community. A place where people want to spend their time.