Mill Talk: The Hidden History of Suits

The classic men’s dark tailored suit and crisp white shirt may look plain, but they are actually triumphs of 19th-century engineering. In this talk, dress historian Chloe Chapin takes us “behind the seams” to explore the mechanical, technological, and chemical innovations that made suits possible.

From the river-powered machines of New England’s textile mills to the caustic, labor-intensive chemistry of early bleacheries, we will uncover the hidden industrial technologies required to produce the simple uniform that clothed the nation.

Drawing from her 2026 book, “Suitable: The Sartorial Revolution and the Fashioning of Modern Men,” Chapin reveals how the Industrial Revolution fashioned modern men.

Free to the public, but registration required. This event has sold out.