1920s Flapper Style: The History Behind the Costume
The fringed flapper dress was a social statement before it was a costume. Here is the real history behind the 1920s silhouette, bob, and dropped waist.
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Regency Era Fashion and the Jane Austen Look
The high-waisted Regency silhouette is easy to recognize and easy to get wrong. Here is what shaped the Jane Austen look, and what popular dramas distort.
Dressing as a Classic Witch: From Folklore to Costume
The pointed hat, broom, and cauldron each have tangled histories, and some popular origin stories are disputed. Here is what the record actually supports about the classic witch costume.
The Evolution of the Fairy Tale Princess Costume
The sparkly ball gown is a modern invention layered onto very old tales. Here is how the fairy tale princess costume evolved from folklore to film.
The Wizard of Oz: Ruby Slippers and Costume History
The ruby slippers were silver in the original novel and turned red only for the Technicolor film. Here is the real costume history behind the most famous shoes in American movies.
Reflective Costumes: Making Trick or Treaters Visible After Dark
Dark costumes at dusk are hard for drivers to spot. Research on retroreflective materials and biomotion shows how much visibility a costume can add.
Peter Pan and the History of the Stage Costume
Peter Pan began as a stage role, was played for decades by women, and is now in the US public domain. Here is the costume history behind the boy who would not grow up.
Allergy Friendly Halloween: The Teal Pumpkin Explained
A teal pumpkin on the doorstep signals non-food treats for trick-or-treaters with food allergies. Here is what the Teal Pumpkin Project is and why it exists.
Costume Rentals and Hygiene: Cleaning Between Wears
What the science of laundering and the rules around disinfectants suggest about keeping shared and rented costumes clean between wearers.
Accessibility at Cosplay Conventions: Know Your Rights
A convention center is, in the language of federal law, a place of public accommodation. Here is what the Americans with Disabilities Act asks of the venues and organizers that host cons.