200 years of clothing history on display in state museum

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — More than 200 years’ worth of fashion choices, from frockcoats to mini-dresses, are on display at the South Carolina State Museum.

The exhibition, “Threads: The Story in Our Clothes,” tells the diverse histories of state residents through the clothing they wore. The show opens Saturday at the museum in downtown Columbia.

The show examines some of the reasons people wore what they did and what role society, fashion, the environment and practicality played in their choices.

Curator of history JoAnn Zeise says the pieces were chosen for the stories they tell, ranging from the state’s first licensed practical nurse in the state to a Clemson University band uniform from the 1960s.

Entrance to the exhibit is included in general admission to the museum.