Figge Museum Sporting Fashion Exhibit

Join your Plus 60 friends for an amazing stroll into yesteryear at the Figge Art Museum the evening of Thursday, April 27, to explore the elaborate collection “Sporting Fashion: Outdoor Girls 1800 to 1960.”

Showcasing more than 480 authentic historic pieces of clothing and accessories making up 64 ensembles spanning nearly 200 years of women’s sporting gear, this special exhibit is possible due to a partnership between the American Federation of Arts and the Lost Angeles-based Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising.  In the 19th and 20th centuries, many of today’s outdoor activities, like gardening, walking, spectating, and picnicking called for activity-specific attire. The exhibit features sporting fashions from today’s more popularly known sports, such as ice skating, riding, swimming and tennis.

Viewers can examine the outfits from all sides and angles. Imagine yourself in multiple layers of decorated fabric heading out to play some croquet or a day at the beach!  See how styles and function evolved through the decades. The outfitted mannequins are accompanied by artifacts, videos, photos and informational signs to help illustrate how women navigated societal expectations for dress and the opportunities that surfaced from sports.  This is an experience you won’t want to miss and one that will spark conversations for some time to come.

No advance registration is necessary for this event.  Our evening starts with a 5 pm check in at the Plus 60 table for Plus 60 members.  Admission to the Figge is free.  Those showing their Plus 60 Club membership card will be given a complimentary $5 voucher toward a beverage of their choice at the cash bar.  A museum docent will guide our group through the featured exhibit answering any questions that may arise and filling us in on “behind the scenes” details.  To enhance our experience, there will be an Art Buffet starting at 5 pm where art supplies will be available to sample and buy.

At 6 pm we have the added treat of a performance by the University of Iowa Dance Company.  This is a touring company from the U of I Department of Dance.  Comprised of approximately 12 undergraduate and graduate students who tour Iowa and the Midwest each spring offering live concerts, workshops, and lecture demonstrations for audiences of all ages.

The full museum will be open for our enjoyment until closing time at 8 pm.  Feel free to revisit the featured exhibit or wander through the remainder of the permanent and temporary exhibits.