Discover the mystery of a 200-year-old outfit now on show at Winterbourne

A nearly 200-year-old outfit once owned and worn by a 19th century MP is now on display at Winterbourne following a major conservation project. 

But the garments, found in remarkable condition with exquisite embroidery, posed a mystery – where did the suit come from and what was it made for?  

Furthermore, how could a dress suit of that age have survived in its entirety, and what was the family connection? 

You can now discover the extraordinary tale of how the Birmingham-based Nettlefold family acquired the court dress from a Derbyshire MP and see the stunning garments for yourself. 

Henrietta Lockhart, Curator of Museum Collections at Winterbourne House and Garden, shares the remarkable story of how the suit came to be in Winterbourne’s possession, and the journey she and her colleagues embarked on to find its original owner. 

The costume includes a hand-embroidered woolen coat and silk waistcoat, breeches, stockings, shoes, cravat, wig, hat, hat box and sword. 

Once it was passed to Winterbourne, the team were astonished by its good condition, especially as there are photographs documenting the costume being worn at a fancy dress ball in Birmingham in 1891. 

After meticulous examination, it was concluded that despite being in the style of 1750, the costume was created in 1853 – more than 100 years on from the fashions a century earlier. 

So who created this mystery suit and why?  

Henrietta unearthed a crucial piece of evidence during her investigation, when she found a tattered paper label attached to the hat box, which had hand-written words faded by time that could just about be made out. 

Find out how she solved the puzzle in her article 'From Parliament to Fancy Dress: the life story of an MP’s court dress'.

Winterbourne House and Garden is one of the many cultural sites at the University that we are privileged to have access to. You can enter for free with your University ID card. Find out more about its programme of events, from outdoor theatre performances to masterclasses in arts and crafts, or simply take a stroll in the stunning gardens in your lunch break. 

Full suit on display at Winterbourne (left) and photograph of Hugh Nettlefold wearing the suit to a fancy dress ball in 1891 (right)