1 012 benetton
Children’s Umbrella, 1990
Cotton, brass, wood
This children’s umbrella, with its duck-head handle and practical shoulder strap, embodies the philosophy of the Italian fashion company Benetton. Its aim was to create fashion that lives—made for the streets of the world. 012 benetton is the brand’s children’s line for ages zero to twelve.
2 Xenos
Pair of Heeled Sneakers, c. 2008
Cotton, rubber, cotton shoelaces
Platform sneakers with heels were a striking but short-lived trend of the 2000s.
3 Kindermoden Dohnal
Girls’ Coat, 1981
Dark blue wool fabric, faux fur
Dark blue coats were especially popular winter classics. This design stands out for details such tas the white faux-fur trim on the hood, mother-of-pearl buttons, and smocking. The Viennese children’s fashion house Dohnal was renowned for its excellent craftsmanship and rather conservative style.
4 Women’s Stockings, c. 1900
Cotton
The term “bluestocking” originally referred to members of London’s Bluestocking Society, a women’s circle that held informal intellectual gatherings during the eighteenth century. By the nineteenth century, however, the term had become a mocking label for educated, emancipated women.
5 Palmers
Lace Garter, May 15, 1999
Polyamide, rubber, rhinestone
Traditionally, a bride is expected to wear something borrowed, something new, something old, and something blue on her wedding day. Since the postwar period, this has most commonly taken the form of a blue garter.
6 Women’s Belt, c. 1905
Blue-gray draped silk velvet
7 Motorcycle Cap, 1957
Cotton
This cotton cap was an indispensable accessory worn beneath a motorcycle helmet. In summer, it prevented sweat from penetrating the helmet lining directly. During the winter months, it also provided an additional insulating layer against the cold wind.
8 Folding Fan, c. 1900
Blue-violet silk taffeta, gold foil embroidery, wooden frame
9 Fascinator, c. 1950
Cotton velvet
This fascinator exudes youthful elegance. The combination of the velvet bow and matching veil makes it a classic example of an era when headwear was still considered an indispensable element of a woman’s wardrobe.
10 Sandals, 1942–1946
Suede, smooth leather, metal buckle
11 Mäser
Women’s Swimsuit, 1968–1970
Helanca, elastic
This swimsuit with horizontal stripes and a white anchor motif was a best seller around 1970. Produced by the long-established Vorarlberg company Mäser, it was made from the synthetic fiber Helanca, which allowed the manufacture of garments that were especially stretchy, durable, and easy to care for.
12 Poke Bonnet, 1841–1848
Straw, silk grosgrain
Light shades of blue became a hallmark of women’s fashion during the Biedermeier period. This straw bonnet, lined with pale blue silk grosgrain and finished with matching ribbons, is characteristic of the era. Blue was regarded as a feminine color, symbolizing purity and grace—virtues central to tthe Biedermeier ideal of womanhood.
13 Infant’s Shirt with Bonnet, c. 1830
Cotton tulle lace, silk tulle
The blue silk bows identify this shirt, made of silk and trimmed with tulle lace, as clothing for a girl. Since antiquity, blue had been regarded as the most feminine color, an association that continued in Christian color symbolism. In the iconography of the Virgin of Mercy, Mary is traditionally depicted wearing blue.
14 Jacket, 1980s
Medium-blue crushed velvet
The jacket’s rich, shimmering shade of blue is enhanced by the exceptionally soft crushed velvet.
15 Slippers, c. 1950
Leather, imitation leather, metal nails, wood
These high-heeled slippers, with their pale blue leather straps, perfectly complemented the popular beachwear of the 1950s in its many shades of blue.
16 Cuff Links, c. 1900
Blue-green glass, silver-plated brass
17 Handbag, 1948–1952
Velvet
This medium-blue velvet handbag was worn with an elegant afternoon dress made of the same material.
18 Women’s Parasol, mid-1920s–early 1930s
Dark blue-and-white felt, felt leaf appliqués, metal frame, ribs with blue plastic tips, lacquered cane shaft, plastic bird’s-head handle
19 J. Duvelleroy
Feather Fan, 1920–1930
Cornflower-blue egret feathers, honey-yellow plastic frame
This fan was produced by the renowned fanmaker J. Duvelleroy, founded in 1827 and still based in Paris today.
20 JIGSAW
“Globetrotter” Men’s Summer Hat, 2015
Dark blue cotton
21 JIGSAW
Men’s Bermuda Shorts, 2015
Dark blue cotton
Ideal for vacation wear, the “Globetrotter” hat and Bermuda shorts are made from washed cotton that was originally dark blue. Both pieces were created by the label JIGSAW, founded in 1970 by the English designer John Robinson.
22 Christening Set, 1745
Cotton yarn, glass beads, silk ribbon
This blue christening set, decorated with pale blue beads, belonged to a girl in the eighteenth century, as confirmed by the accompanying christening certificate.
23 Gym Shoes (?), 1920–1925
Wool, leather
These cornflower-blue wool ballet flats were probably worn both for gymnastics and as comfortable house slippers.
24 Handbag, c. 1950
Plastic, metal
Suitcase-style handbags made of rigid plastic, such as this striking turquoise-blue example, were highly fashionable during the 1950s.
25 Women’s Bangle, c. 1850
Silver, enamel
This finely crafted bangle features blue enamel, traditionally regarded as a symbol of fidelity. Its form and decoration suggest that it was originally given as a gift.
26 Toiletry Bag (Nécessaire
), 1932
Wool, metal, viscose
The graduated shades of blue on this embroidered toiletry bag reflect the characteristic combination of modernity and elegant restraint associated with the period. Its interplay of clean lines and geometric patterns is typical of the Art Deco aesthetic.
27 Girls’ Suit, c. 1965
Dark blue wool fabric, plastic buttons
Dark blue clothing for girls was especially popular from the years following the Second World War until the early 1980s. The color conveyed modesty, obedience, and virtue. Even today, students at many Catholic private schools wear dark blue uniforms.
28 Feather Fan, c. 1890–1900
Blue-black and red iridescent exotic feathers, tortoiseshell frame
This feather fan features a rich variety of blue tones and is made from ostrich, exotic bird, and egret feathers. The feathers were dyed to match ball gowns. The enormous popularity of ostrich feathers nearly drove these flightless birds to extinction by the end of the nineteenth century.
29 Adele List
Hat Resembling a Hairstyle, c. 1955
Crow feathers, felt, net, viscose taffeta
Inspired by ancient Egypt in both color and form, this hat of blue and turquoise feathers was created by the renowned Viennese milliner Adele List. Extravagant hats were her trademark.
30 Mittens, mid-1960s
Wool
Knitted mittens featuring the traditional Norwegian Selbu pattern first rose to prominence in 1857 in the Norwegian village of Selbu. The young Marit Emstad knitted gloves with a rose motif and wore them to church. The response was overwhelming. The village became a center of knitting and a symbol of women’s independence and creativity.
31 Marcelle Agnellet
Women’s Hat, 1952
Straw, velvet, grosgrain ribbon
This elegant dark blue straw hat, trimmed with a matching velvet bow and veil, reflects the fashion of the early 1950s.
32 OshKosh B’gosh
Girls’ Overalls, 1992
Turquoise-blue cotton double cloth with a floral and polka-dot pattern
Founded in Wisconsin, U.S., in 1895, OshKosh B’gosh developed from a specialist in workwear into a global leader in children’s fashion. Around 1900, the company achieved its breakthrough with the introduction of children’s bib overalls. They were durable and easy to put on and take off.
