Episode 8.6: If clothes could speak

Meet Sonya Meyer, a professor in the Margaret Ritchie School of Family and Consumer Sciences and curator of U of I’s Leila Old Historic Costume Collection, which reflects the clothing across lower-, middle- and upper-class society in Idaho from around 1850 to the present. She will discuss what’s in the collection, how to preserve clothing and give us some examples of what TV shows and movies get right and wrong with their costumes.

Email us at vandaltheory@uidaho.edu.

Is there someone in your life, past or present, who you associate with their clothes — like if they changed their outfit you would be confused about who they were?

U of I’s Leila Old Historic Costume Collection, which includes about 18,000 items ranging from vintage clothing to grooming accessories, is an impressive look into past centuries. Meyer is tasked with preserving the collection, which includes cleaning, repairing and ensuring proper storage. Garments are stored with care, given “personal space” to avoid damaging creases and protected from light and dust. Meyer has uncovered fascinating pieces in the collection, such as an 1890s black silk dress with hints that it could be a maternity dress. There’s also a cotton dress from the 1850s with an emotional backstory about the last garment a mother made before passing away. Meyer’s ability to identify clues in the fabric, design and construction helps her unravel the past in ways few could imagine; she can even tell just by looking whether an actor’s costume is period appropriate. Beyond historical artifacts, Meyer encourages us to look at clothing we use in our day-to-day lives. She advocates saving not just the fancy clothes but also the well-worn ones, like a pair of farmer’s overalls that tell the story of a hardworking life, and she suggests capturing the stories behind family garments by taking photos and writing down memories, preserving those moments for future generations. Whether it’s a treasured heirloom or a quirky old sweater, every piece of clothing has the potential to connect us to the past. Meyer’s work reminds us that fashion isn’t just about style — it’s about stories, memories and preserving the tangible link between generations.

Music

“Young Republicans” by Steve Combs via freemusicarchive.org, not modified.

“Power in You” by Micah Dahl Anderson via Amphibious Zoo.