Step Into The National Museum of Costume in Portugal

NATIONAL COSTUME MUSEUM

The National Museum of Costume (Museu Nacional do Traje), created in 1976, presents to the public a collection of historical costumes, garments and accessories, dating from the XVIII century to the present day, either in permanent or temporary exhibitions.

THE PARK

Next to National Museum of Costume is the Monteiro-Mor Botanic Park extending for 11 ha, and a garden laid out in the 18th century, where the oldest known Araucaria Heterophylla in mainland Portugal can be found.

THE ANGEJA-PALMELA PALACE

The National Museum of Costume occupies the Angeja-Palmela Palace, named after the two families who owned the property – 3rd Marquis of Angeja and Palmela Family.

CIVILIAN COSTUMES

The National Museum of Costume collections consist of civilian costumes, national and international and their respective accessories.

TELLING THE HISTORY

We are permanently telling the visitors about the history of Portuguese Costume from the Eighteenth Century to the Present Day, on the main floor of the Palace.

EMPIRE STYLE

Empire Style
1796 - 1820

BELLE ÉPOQUE

Belle Époque
1870 a 1914

TECHNICAL SOLUTIONS

There is a small presentation of the different technical solutions that have been adopted throughout time to obtain the different silhouettes: from the crinoline to the tournure, the volumes, the solutions and various materials used, always worn on top of undergarments.

SOCIAL RULES

And if the undergarments tell a whole story, the costumes as worn in the intimacy of one’s home explain the dress code that ladies followed in their homes: rules that are usually applicable to the wealthier classes, where social calls and other obligations meant changes of attire throughout the day.

20TH CENTURY

In a completely different spirit – a white, neutral space – is the exhibition showing XX Century Costume up to the present day.

THE TIME OF CHANGE

It tells the story of a time when the world of fashion underwent more frequent change than ever before, when societies and different cultures influenced each other in a totally new and daring manner.

ONLINE

Find out more, visiting the National Museum of Costume, in Lisbon or checking out the webpage: page.