Search FAQs

The Fashion Archive utilizes a controlled vocabulary to inventory the collection. Below are some of the terms used to inventory the garments and should help you in your search.

Please be aware that items are continually being added to the Archive and might not be available online yet.

Searching by Garment Type

Every item falls into one of the larger categories listed below:

Acessory
Belt 
Bodice 
Dress 
Footwear 
Headwear 
Jacket 
Loungewear 
Neckwear
Pants 
Shirt 
Skirt 
Sleepwear 
Sweater 
Undergarment
Wrap/Scarf 
Other useful terms are: Bag, Bridal, Menswear, Outerwear, Uniform

Searching by Date

To search for an item by date, it is best to search by decade. For example, if you want to find items from the 1950s, search by using 1950.

Advanced Search combining Garment type with Date

If you are searching for a Dress from the 1950s you will need to use the Advanced Search, which you can select from any Archive page. Once on the Advanced Search page, use the Search by value section. 

1) Click on the "Any Property" and select Date, change the "is exactly" to "contains" and in the search box, enter the decade you are searching for.

2) Click on the plus sign by "Search by value." This will add another line for your search. Again click on "Any property" and change it to "Title" and again, change the "is exactly" to "contains" and in the search box, enter the type of garment you are searching for.