Dress History Student: A Week in the Life

[@greata80]

"Who would want to watch a cat's costumery video for one hour?!" Everyone: * raises hand *

[@gumulf]

So relaxing!

[@CathyHay]

I loved seeing a week in your life, Cat! I think many of us who came to dress history later fantasise about going back to Uni for our favourite subject and wonder what it would involve, so I was fascinated (and laughed at the cake interlude!) I have been sewing boning channels and watching this morning, so thank you for keeping me company! PS. I am here for the Cunnington rant 😂

[@CatsCostumery]

Haha thank you Cathy! I am having a great time in the course so I wanted to share it with everyone :)

[@VBirchwood]

9:27 is my EXACT reaction anytime tightlacing and stays or corsets are brought up lol

[@VBirchwood]

@@classyhistoricalsewing Thank you so much!! 💓

[@cravetherandom]

The satirical prints you discuss around 13:00 are so great, really useful window on the customs of the time. A point that was made when I was on my MA down in London, was that dressing outside of your class was a form of fraud. Stockists and tailors (or most other merchants) couldn’t check credit in those days, a well dressed person walking into a shop with the attitude to match could essentially defraud the merchant of goods by not paying their bill - and sometimes to ask for coin up front was seen as gauche - especially if you didn’t have a servant with you to dispense coin on your behalf. So merchants were often squeezed by loss of stock, and there weren’t really any commercial protections for business owners like we have more commonly now. It was easier to fudge identity in those days, though reputation socially was even weightier then than it is now, even with social media. So neat! Thank you for sharing your journey with us!

[@ellegilyard1348]

Yes, more of this!

[@carolineoakh.6808]

This is so interesting, thanks for the video! I’ve actually been daydreaming a bit of applying to this degree in some years, so it’s wonderful seeing someone living it and speaking about it!

[@anna_in_aotearoa3166]

Interesting not just to hear some of a dress history student's experience, but also somewhat of how it's been for you personally having to study it remotely, esp. in a field where photos/flat patterns can only capture so much of the important info about a 3D garment...? Thank you for sharing Cat! (I did basically all my tertiary study remotely, & loved it, but I suspect there's a significant difference between courses that were designed for online delivery and ones which have just had to emergency pivot to that delivery method!!)

[@EngineeringKnits]

Taking this degree would be an absolute dream! Thank you for sharing, and I'm beyond fascinated by the knitting portions your spoke about - right up my alley!

[@Fengelo63]

Usually enjoy your content but I especially enjoyed this video. Getting to learn the more academic side of things is incredibly fascinating to me.

[@kendall7041]

I dropped out of college 6 years ago and I never thought I'd want to go back but for the past 6 months, I haven't stopped dreaming of being able to study dress history. Thanks for making this video. I dunno how plausible it is for me as a person in Oregon to find something commensurate but it certainly has me thinking it may be worth finally finishing my undergraduate to fine out.

[@kjtherrick4031]

Thanks for sharing your week. Your program sounds interesting. Good luck as you continue. And, YES, I'd love to hear and watch some more about it!

[@alisiaeve]

I've been considering a couple programs at Glasgow, including this one, for a few years years now and this video was so helpful!!! Sometimes I get so deep in the program websites it's hard to get a realistic view of what the modules are actually like and a lot of times the module descriptions are very brief if they exist at all. I'm also an indecisive Libra but now I feel a step closer to actually making a decision 😂

[@katherinemorelle7115]

Yes please more of this! You’re doing my dream masters degree. I’ve been dreaming about doing this exact degree at Glasgow for YEARS. Well, for as long as the degree has existed, basically. I know it’s not terribly old. But, I’m poor and disabled and I live on the other side of the world, so the likelihood of me ever doing it is very, very slim. Which means that I definitely want to live vicariously through you!

[@katherinemorelle7115]

I’m curious- are lectures not available on the website to access at any time after they’ve been uploaded? I’m not sure how online learning is done in other countries. In Australia we’ve been doing online/distance learning for decades now (since before the internet, and everything was sent to you in the mail, and you had to post back assignments), so most universities are already very well versed in how to do that. One of those things is having lectures available to access from whenever they’re recorded and uploaded. You can even go back at the end of the semester and rewatch lectures from whichever week you think you might need a refresher for. This occurs in most degrees (I did Law and a Bachelor of Arts online, and they both ran that way). We also always have a page with all our readings, module content and assignments available, and usually a message board for each module. Also, universities organise for exams to take place in different cities, so you can go along to wherever the exam is held in your area, and they’ll have all of the exams that are needed there. The room is full of students completing different exams from different universities. Also, as a disabled student, I’ve even had exam invigilators come to my house with the exam materials, and sit in the corner of my bedroom while I’ve completed the exam from bed. Very useful! I have no idea how other countries do it though. I know that other countries don’t necessarily have the same lengthy background with distance learning that we do. It’s one of the advantages we have, really. Nothing has to be changed or set up for lockdowns (though most of our unis are open and operating mostly normally anyway, because we haven’t had the same issues as places like the UK and US). It was already there. So if anyone from other countries could chime in on how they’re doing online learning, that would be interesting. I’ve heard that disabled and chronically ill students are having an easier time of it than they used to (particularly in the US), and that makes me wonder why it wasn’t available before. The idea that if you miss a lecture, and that’s it, you now have to rely on classmates for notes (and need to trust that those notes are accurate and cover everything) is just wild to me!

[@petapendlebury9024]

I so want to do a post grad course in fashion history that is heavy into construction but I'm still looking. Also living in North Wales isn't exactly helping.....:-D

[@4MaryJaneInsane]

Sometimes I wish I knew when I was younger how much great programmes there are to be studied!!! Crying a little inside but glqd that you can give a little insights!!!

[@anna_in_aotearoa3166]

To be honest, I think a lot of these programmes are relatively new offerings (as Cat mentioned, recognition of this as an academic discipline at all is still pretty young). So perhaps when we were young, this and other awesome kinds of study didn't actually exist? Still wish they had though! 😋

[@jenninstitches]

When you started mentioning reading lists and academic paywalls, you hit my soul because yes... so many big big big feels and opinions on that from me as well. You are not alone. I loved this video. So neat to see you doing you.

[@shawnagoddard4999]

This so a really nice video and was interesting to see. I did the A History of Royal Fashion with Future Learn last year when they had it for free and it was a great course. Highly recommend.

[@Celebrinthal]

This was a very interesting insight into the academic side of this passion! And it's really good to see a university treating students like the adults they are, and that my bad experience is not universal. Gosh, I'd love to devote my life to research, but with the realities of academic work around here... nope!

[@rachelunderwood4868]

I’m in my final year of a very part time BA in English Lit with the OU - I’ve been distance learning for years getting to this point, and had decided a BA is a good point to stop studying. And then you go and post about this course, at one of my closest universities, and my brain goes ‘oooooooooooh, THAT looks fun!!!!!’ So, thanks I guess?

[@ThreadedThistle]

This was absolutely fascinating! I’m actually working on my application for this program right now, so seeing this video was a really wonderful bit of insight!

[@CatsCostumery]

aaah that's so exciting! :D

[@marcelinavalencia1017]

Thanks for this video, I've applied for this course for next year and now I'm even more excited for it!

[@CatsCostumery]

Aahh good luck! :)

[@debbiesoleildierkes7602]

I'm trash for art history and going down the dress history alley with you was fascinating to me. Thank you for sharing and doing all the homework for us!

[@HelloVintage]

This was so so fascinating- thank you for taking us with you to school (even if it's online learning) so we can live vicariously through you. All of these topics sound like so much fun to study!

[@Rainbopagn]

“The UK has largely mishandled this pandemic” *laughs in American*

[@LittleCrocus]

*laughs in unvaccinated Alabamian*

[@heathertownsend2752]

*laughs in South Dakotan*

[@gumulf]

Laughs in Swedish

[@MrCaRolMiLler]

Loved the video (yay to long videos 😉) .I admire your organization in terms of scheduling your work, school, sewing stuff, etc. I just dropped my masters in Conservation, because of work conflict and because I'm not motivated any more with the degree (I'll finish it, just not know). Since embarking in costumes I've wanted to do a post grad in textile conservation, but here in Portugal there aren't any, and the Glasgow one is very expensive for me and I thing too intensive (I'm scared of not being good enough). I'm surprised that you just gave 3/4 classes. I have 7 per semester, so like 22 hours of contact, and more than Hal are useless. Oh well. 😘

[@sarahgiggles9444]

Your enthusiasm is so infectious! This was such a fun little peek into the academic study of historical fashion. Also that cake break was a total chef's kiss!

[@milena2080]

This is so interesting, I also just started a masters degree last September. Mine is MSc, not MA, (also Sweden, not Britain) and the differences in structure are so interesting! Hearing you talk about the content of the classes is also great, i can live vicariously through you a little and explore the alternative universe where I went into arts instead of science.

[@margotdieu3932]

This video was SO helpful! I’m at a pivotal point where I need to decide which direction to take my life and I’ve been seriously considering something like this, so hearing your first hand experience was really great and gave me a much clearer idea of what this program is like!

[@averyt9600]

This was super fascinating! We don’t have any specific Dress History degrees where I live, but I’m definitely considering doing Museum Studies/Conservation! I also got interested in this field by researching for costumes lol.

[@deborahddenmark]

always love to hear more, slightly jelly of your academic venture until I remember how life was while at university, so really enjoying living vicariously

[@mouseluva]

Please make the rant video about sexist dress historians! Academic rants are my favourite

[@melissamybubbles6139]

Oh. This is great! Congrats on doing the program. I'd love to know more about what you're learning and what that life is like.

[@tishie42]

This was an awesome, very interesting look into your studies. I wish knowledge could be shared freely but the info you ha e passed on is very helpful to start our own investigations. Maybe this isn't for everyone, but I would definitely like to see more of these style videos. As long as it doesn't burn you out, that is! Thank you! 🪔

[@stephanien4096]

Thank you thank you thank you! I am looking into applying (to this and one other program) and this is exactly the kind of content and info I have been looking for.

[@Kelli.Hicks.5]

This! All of this! 😍 I really enjoyed some of this educational, "behind the scenes" aspects of historical costuming. Applied, practical knowledge is learned from somewhere, and I loved seeing your education in progress.

[@pv6450]

Excellent video. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to your experience as you study and research. It was the perfect companion as I hand basted a quilt. I would enjoy more!!

[@makennapagniano]

I'm in an art history BA right now and I've looking into applying to this program. This was so so helpful!! I would honestly sit through several more hours because I want to know more!

[@jennamarco4539]

The shot of slicing a tiny bit of cake and then taking the larger remnant...iconic

[@darklymoonlit]

Loved this! And I'm always up for hearing about fashion history research!

[@believeinfaeries8713]

Lovely look into your school week! Thanks for a great video!

[@joywarburton5719]

This was really interesting, and my curiosity surrounding Shetland knitting has been piqued! You're sending my down some research rabbit holes...😁

[@msjennl10]

Thanks for documenting your week, I so enjoyed watching! Only a year seems so short! I bet it feels like there's still so much more to learn. What are your plans for after you finish the program? Continue with more education or are you thinking about different career paths?

[@CatsCostumery]

It goes by so fast! I've really enjoyed it :) I have no idea yet, it's really intimidating considering the state of the world, to start off a new path, but I guess it's more of a matter of seeing what opportunities are available!

[@jessandthepast]

Yes! More of that! I found is very interesting how this course is structured and what your module choices are. Looking forward to seeing more :)

[@sewsew100]

I found your video very interesting and informative. It must be very difficult to do this during lockdown. I enjoyed finding out the topics you study and how the course is structured and run. Thank you for sharing this. I have a lot of time in lockdown, so I dont mind watching long videos, especially when they contain such interesting topics.

[@empressofbuttons3478]

Loved watching this while crafting! You're really good at creating a relaxing atmosphere. I enjoy listening to you talk about this and I have a special appreciation for this topic in particular since I considered this course as my MA and then decided against it. Totally feel what you're saying, one year just flies by so in that regard I think I've made the right decision. Still I'm glad to hear that you're enjoying the lectures even though everything is online and I admire that you're able to regularly sew and made videos while putting so much effort into your studies. With academic degrees it's hard to see how much work goes into it behind the scenes but it's a lot! So thank you for this insight you're doing amazing 💖

[@CatsCostumery]

😭😭❤❤❤

[@roxiepoe9586]

This is very informative. Are your study peers aware of your KZbin work? Just curious. (Georgette Heyer, a novelist, whom I have seen referenced as a decent historian, mentions the creaking corsets of the regency period king. P.S. Her explanation and description of the battle of Waterloo is brilliant.)

[@breeinatree4811]

I really enjoyed Learning about fashion history and the things going on during at the time that influenced it.

[@annadj33]

Very interesting! I wish you could share the courses’ lists of texts with us, but c’est la vie.

[@kathryncoelho2249]

I was curious about what you were studying... great vlog! Learned so much about this type of study.

[@New_Wave_Nancy]

"Cunnington, I'm coming for you." Yeah girl!

[@medicalherbalist2216]

Thank you for this video, SO interesting to hear your experiences. Thrilled you got such a wonderful online apprenticeship. Two hours would have been fine by me. Delighted to hear that you've been 'looking' at the clothes of Heather Firbank and its curatorship, would love to hear more. I read the book from the V&A over Christmas, all I could think was, 'why oh why didn't the V&A take the whole collection to keep it in one place. TRAGIC'

[@MarinaMCV]

Awesome content as usual, Cat! Out of sheer curiosity, have you tried using Mendeley (or another of these softwares) for organizing your reading and referencing material? I've used it from undergrad till my PhD and it's life saving!

[@CatsCostumery]

I haven't used Mendeley but I've been using Zotero :)

[@arielholmes8700]

thank you so so so much for this video. I would love so much to be able to take a course like this, but never really considered it too highly since i dont think this would be something i could reasonably have for a career and my dad would only support me on something that was career focused. seeing this though makes me feel like i am part of it, and i love that you included so much material for us to be able to find on our own. i still think it would be amazingly fun to take such a course and hopefully at some point i can! it looks so fun and like something i would feel so much joy out of. if not though i am glad to be able to get some guidance from your channel and with this video on some resources i can look into on my own to still fulfill that desire to learn more about dress history!

[@_._enril_._]

The perfect compwnion for my midday break! Thank you for the wonderful video🧡

[@karalee2270]

This was wonderful, and very interesting to watch.

[@sharonwerner2419]

Really enjoyed this video, future teacher giving a great presentation.

[@delanocarson7544]

Very cool! I started an MA in art history last semester here in the US and its been.....a lot, so very cool to see what its like for other people.

[@anaisabelsantos4661]

I could see myself going back to school... 20 years after finishing environmental engeneering this is exactly what I need, the only problem is the distance, Glasgow is a bit far.

[@peggyr9623]

Yes I would like to see more of what you are doing for your degree. This was very interesting and I learned alot, not only how the degree is set up, what is needed to complete it, plus the actual work you are doing. It is so nice that one of the classes has only 15 people!! You actually get to know the people instead of just recognizing that a person is in a lecture class you have. I'm in the U.S.A. and I don't think there is a class in any subject that has 15 students! Usually, a lecture class has 100 in an auditorium type of hall. Also, you are lucky that you finish the degree in one year. We have to go 2 years to complete a post-grad degree. Didn't Karolina go to the same school? I think I remember her saying that she went to Glasgow for her degree too. I loved the whole video. I laughed when you said the UK was not handling the pandemic well. No one has done a worse job than the U.S.A. At least we now have someone sane as President, who is committed to getting it under control here, so hopefully we will do better. 460K is alot of dead people and many died unnecessarily, all due to having a horrible man as President. Anyway, I really hope you will continue taking us along your study journey. It will also help you in remembering the info for your tests/essays. Thank you so much!

[@OrrieInBetween]

Super interesting. Thank you! I’m a fashion design student in Italy and oh god I envy your study program 😭

[@agimagi2158]

This was very interesting! At first I planned only to watch the first half, as it is post bed time for me now, but I stuck with you until the end! It was so nice to see you get all excited about your modules!! Now I want to study fashion history too hahah!

[@agimagi2158]

And thank you very much for the links in the description box!!!

[@e.urbach7780]

I took the History of Royal Fashion course on FutureLearn a few years ago! It was so interesting. Is it still being offered?

[@CatsCostumery]

yep it is!

[@Feelicitasy]

I am hereby now questioning my life and education choices. Loved all of the content.

[@CatsCostumery]

that sounds super nice, I'll look into it! :)

[@LauriesPlace999]

You seem to be in seventh heaven doing this course! Thanks for sharing ❤

[@conniemurdoch8528]

I’m so excited that you posted this. Totally great coincidence!I have an Edwardian “waist” no puffy sleeves, really tall collar. I’ve been looking for someone to do something with it (make a pattern or copy it, something before it disintegrates) It would be a donation toward your education! All I want is someone to do something with it. Please contact me by IM and I will tell you more.

[@kellieb8865]

It's nice having you study while I'm completing my sewing :-)

[@larissalcg5063]

I'm (hand) sewing the binding of my 1740's stays while watching this, thank you for the great video, it gave a very nice inside of the study course :)

[@katybradley5143]

This is brilliant. I also came into historical costuming and historical fashion research through my love of literature and my degrees in literature. If I won the lotto, I would go study historical fashion, document preservation, and history. 💜 Thank you for letting us live vicariously through your academic journey!

[@elizabethhatfield2115]

I, myself am an amateur historian who has researched the Middle Ages and Tudor periods since I was twelve. I am also a costumer who sews my own clothes, with a historical bent, and am currently working on 18th Century underthings (shift, stays, and bum pad). As an avid knitter of laces, I would be most interested in the Shetland lace patterns, or at least a direction to look in for my own research in Victorian and earlier knitted laces. I would also be interested in a selection of books you would recommend for research into the 18th Century and Victorian eras (not from your book list).

[@CatsCostumery]

Here is the page for the Shetland Lace project: www.shetlandmuseumandarchives.org.uk/education/museum-store/research-projects/authenticity-in-shetland-lace-knitting I'll look into making a book recommendation list! :)

[@Gmato13]

I would love to see and learn more!! ❤️❤️

[@Ompe8]

good luck to you with your studies. sounds like it could be really interesting. i enjoyed your video on mourning clothes!

[@alicelefevre-casimiri7643]

It was so cool to hear about your experience ! I am really interested in applying for this degree in the near future but as non UK citizen, the tuition fees are a bit scary... Could you get a scholarship ? How do you manage to fund it ? Thank you so much ♡

[@ComptonCreations]

More adventures, definitely! This is fascinating :)

[@susieahn6594]

I really enjoyed the longer format!

[@meamela9820]

That cake part was awesome! This was really interesting to hear about. Both the things you learn and how the degree is constructed. At the moment I am too studying for a master's degree (but in pedagogy) and our programmes and the whole education system seems so different between the UK and Finland (where I am). Did I understand it right that this programme is only one year long? And is it common in the UK to not do a bachelor's and a master's degree right after each other? Like, can you work after only getting a bachelor's? I find it interesting how routinely and streamlined your things are. Like a specific course is always the same day of the week and even if the topic change from week to week, you always have reading to do before the course day etc. At my programme the shedule is very organic and depend on how our teachers want to structure the course to fit in what way we are going to learn in that specific course. But then again, I have heard that studying pedagogy is structured quite different from many other things you could study at a university.

[@CatsCostumery]

You can work! I think it depends on the person, whether they chose to continue straight into an MA after a BA :) I think it also depends on the industry, some definitely lean heavily on wanting people with MAs

[@meamela9820]

@@CatsCostumery Thank you for the answer. That is interesting, as here a Bachelor's degree is pretty much only a half way marker to the Masters and there are very few fields (but they exists) where a Bachelor's is enough.

[@abigaelmacritchie1365]

What you said about reading lists being considered intellectual property is fascinating! I had no idea, and that's frightening, since I worked on a PhD for several years before I had to stop because life. We have a similar background I think, I did literature too, but when it came to choosing a rather unrelated masters degree I went with musicology 😂 I'm really loving this content, I hope you make some more

[@inasKnit]

Some of the reading lists are actually available online under the course information. You can actually find a number of faculty syllabi shared online through some google searches for any number of subjects you're interested in.

[@heliopijpe]

So happy there are people like this in the world ^^ and with this I mean, you :-)

[@susanrobertson984]

May I recommend a software package for managing citations? There are some free ones around I believe and you can search and sort references and pick out your relevant sources and create bibliographies with a click, pre-set styles built in. Massive headache saver as you keep building a research library/reading list.

[@susanrobertson984]

I have heard good things about Zotero for example.

[@CatsCostumery]

Yes I love Zotero! Very useful :)

[@michellecornum5856]

This was very interesting. Did you get clearance to talk about the Robe a la Reine? Good luck in your studies!

[@CatsCostumery]

I did! :)

[@Anne-lv2qg]

Oh, and now I am playing with the thought of doing a minor in dress history. I'm still a uni student, so I have the time... Maybe, just maybe... Amazing video, I really liked seeing what studying dress history actually includes :)

[@angelamay734]

Very interesting stuff! I'm sure making vidoes like this helps you study and understand the material easier

[@mariafletcher9653]

Loved this ❤ it's fascinating!

[@ShakespeareDoomsday]

I had no idea English was your second language! If you’re allowed to share it, I would love to see your presentation.

[@yezzyjames]

what a wonderful and informative vid. I enjoyed wathing it. :}

[@racheldavis5482]

This was fantastic! ❤

[@MendyLady]

If I had known about this program twenty years ago (did it exist then?), my life would look very different now. *feelings*

[@lesleyharris525]

Thank you,this was very interesting,

[@dschriv2]

Very interested! Love your videos!

[@nevlyn6527]

So interesting!

[@wadenyoost1796]

Was there a pattern you used for the blouse you are wearing? If so, where can I find it? The blouse is lovely. Thank you!

[@CatsCostumery]

It's the Garibaldi blouse :) I have a video about making it here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/npK8fnSbrp6Hd7c

[@wadenyoost1796]

Thank you!!!

[@DAYBROK3]

hey high five students in pandemic times. i also started at an art university, im at the alberta university of the arts in calgary alberta canada in sept 2020.

[@mayfair_forest_witch]

15:31 I think I know what you mean. Personally I think that all knowledge should be freely accessed.

[@JayaBuzz]

I loved the cake inhaling reenactment 😂

[@CatsCostumery]

it was a very accurate reenactment 😂

[@terezanovakova6962]

Amazing content!

[@KeriBerry420]

So.... Regency is basically the 80s and 90s?

[@CatsCostumery]

The Regency is usually delineated as 1811 to 1820, as that is when King George III was deemed unfit to rule and the Prince ruled in his place as Prince Regent, and then he became King at the death of his father in 1820 :)

[@LeComplice]

I loved this!

[@fabioferreiragomes]

MAGNÍFICA.......ESPETACULAR.......MARAVILHOSA....INCRÍVEL........

[@katerrinah5442]

"I don't know who will be interested in this" Me, a nosey bitch: me

[@SonyaandSidney]

"the Uk has lately mishandled this pandemic." *Laughs*

[@josefinebrannlund7297]

🍀