Historical information

The Fashion & Design collection of the Kew Historical Society includes examples of women’s, men’s, children’s and infants’ clothing from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. Items in the collection were largely produced for, or purchased by women in Melbourne, and includes examples of outerwear, protective wear, nightwear, underwear and costume accessories.

Physical description

Late Victorian black watered silk cape with a wide border of machine made lace. The cape is extensively adorned with beads of black jet. Two long pieces of black lace fall from the neck at centre front. The cape was owned by one of the donor's maternal ancestors.