An Easy Air: Dress and Performance in the Long 18th Century

In the 2nd lecture in the Bidwell House Museum summer history talk series, we will be joined by Ned Lazaro, Associate Curator of Costume and Textiles at the Wadsworth Atheneum, who will explore some of the tangible and intangible aspects to 18th-century dress. For people with the financial and social means in the 18th C, dressing well and appearing in public spaces meant more than just fashionable clothes. Undergarments, proper posture, and a nonchalant, “easy” air to one’s gestures provided important contributions that contemporaries recognized as part of the sartorial game of appearing properly attired.

David E. (Ned) Lazaro is the Associate Curator of Costume and Textiles at the Wadsworth Atheneum in Hartford, Connecticut. Prior to his appointment there in September 2022, Ned had been Curator of Textiles at Historic Deerfield in Deerfield, Massachusetts. He holds a master’s degree in fashion and textile history from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Ned has researched, lectured, published, and taught on various aspects of Western clothing and textiles from the 17th through 20th centuries.

This lecture will be held at the Tyringham Union Church at 128 Main Rd in Tyringham. This will be an in-person lecture, with the option to also watch a livestream via Zoom. All Zoom participants will receive a link to access the lecture 1-2 days in advance. Tickets for in-person or Zoom attendance must be purchased in advance.