Date of Award
2025
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science in Textiles, Fashion Merchandising and Design
Specialization
Historic Costume and Textiles, Textile Conservation, and Cultural Analysis
Department
Textiles, Fashion Merchandising and Design
First Advisor
Linda Welters
Abstract
Halloween is one of the most commercially significant holidays in the United States, yet its historical evolution, particularly in the early twentieth century, remains underexplored. While previous studies have examined the holiday’s origins and traditions, they often neglect the material artifacts that provide valuable insights into its cultural development. This research applies Jules David Prown’s material culture approach to analyze early twentieth-century Halloween costumes in two Rhode Island collections: the South County Museum and the University of Rhode Island’s Historic Textile and Costume Collection.
Utilizing Prown’s framework for engaging with artifacts, this study examines eight costumes to explore their role in reflecting social values and community practices. Seven of the Halloween costumes examined span from the 1910s to the early 1940s, illustrating the transformation of Halloween attire. One costume from the earlier era of fancy dress balls (late Victorian to early twentieth century) highlights the use of luxury fabric and elite costume traditions prior to Halloween celebrations. The remaining seven costumes reflect the shift toward democratized Halloween celebrations, featuring early mass-market and homemade designs. These costumes, characterized by simple construction, lightweight cotton fabric, and stenciled decoration, serve as early examples of commercially available Halloween attire, marking the transition from exclusive masquerade events to widespread community participation in costume-wearing traditions. By examining understudied costumes from regional collections, this research highlights the value of material culture as a tool for uncovering societal values, cultural shifts, and local traditions, contributing to a broader understanding of Halloween’s development as a major cultural and commercial phenomenon.
Recommended Citation
Manning, Emma, "DISGUISED: UNMASKING EARLY MASS MARKET HALLOWEEN COSTUMES IN TWO RHODE ISLAND COLLECTIONS" (2025). Open Access Master's Theses. Paper 2666.
https://digitalcommons.uri.edu/theses/2666