Dear Members,
We are looking forward to our study day on Saturday 21st March and hope to see a number of you there, but I am sending you this letter to encourage you to think again about how you can help to ensure our society continues to thrive. We are actively seeking enthusiastic volunteers to join our friendly committee. Most urgently, we are seeking a new Secretary to help with basic administration and communications. We are also looking for Ordinary Members to join the team; these roles are perfect for those who want to support our events and planning without taking on a specific officer duty.

Our committee meetings are informal, collaborative, and—of course—a great way to connect with fellow costume enthusiasts. Without these key roles filled, it becomes increasingly difficult to maintain the high standard of talks, visits, and workshops we all enjoy. If you have a little time to spare and a passion for keeping our society vibrant, we would love to hear from you. No previous committee experience is necessary! Please email us or speak to any current committee member at our next meeting if you’re interested or have any questions.

Warm regards,
Heather Gillard - WECS Chairperson

Welcome to the West of England Costume Society

We are a group of fashion and costume enthusiasts with varied levels of knowledge of the history and study of fashion, costume, accessories and textiles.

Based in and around Bath, our events have included themed study days with talks and discussions led by academics and practitioners, visits to collections, workshops, factories and online presentations.

Our events are open to all, but take a look at the benefits of annual membership.

Have a look around the site, and do contact us if you have any questions.

Photo: Fashion Museum, Bath

Our next events Find out more

  • Hats and Headwear
    Janet Arnold Study Day
    Hats and Headwear

    Saturday 03 Oct 2026

    Bath & County Club, Queen's Parade, Queen Square, Bath BA1 2NJ

    Speakers will include Rebecca Gray, a contemporary milliner.

  • Reimagining Rococo: The revival of Georgian styles in the Lolita fashion subculture as performative protest
    Afternoon Meeting
    Reimagining Rococo: The revival of Georgian styles in the Lolita fashion subculture as performative protest

    Saturday 14 Nov 2026

    Bath & County Club, Queen's Parade, Queen Square, Bath BA1 2NJ

    Speaker: Jennifer Parker from the Fashion Museum, Bath.

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Our Magazine Find out more

These are our latest, on-line accessible magazines. Click on the front cover to open the magazine.