Lucy
@historywardrobe.bsky.social
Book reader, writer & lover
Dress historian
Clothes tell stories; clothes hold memories 👗 🧵 💙
Author of NYT bestseller The Dressmakers of Auschwitz
Dress historian
Clothes tell stories; clothes hold memories 👗 🧵 💙
Author of NYT bestseller The Dressmakers of Auschwitz
A beautiful truth 🖊️
Unsolicited writing advice, no. 209:
Not all writing needs to “lead somewhere.” Joy is a valid end in itself. So is practice: everything you write makes you better writer.
Not all writing needs to “lead somewhere.” Joy is a valid end in itself. So is practice: everything you write makes you better writer.
December 7, 2025 at 9:31 PM
A beautiful truth 🖊️
Reposted by Lucy
There are so many people living lives of quiet dignity despite horrific medical news or poverty or tragedy where every day they still wake up and try to be good people in the world even as the world pushes against them and it makes me even angrier at the absolute shitheads that rule over things
December 5, 2025 at 1:35 AM
There are so many people living lives of quiet dignity despite horrific medical news or poverty or tragedy where every day they still wake up and try to be good people in the world even as the world pushes against them and it makes me even angrier at the absolute shitheads that rule over things
Reposted by Lucy
We seem to be getting stupider when we could really use our wits. The antidote? Reading more. Also a good antidote against the evils of social media, from distraction to misinformation. And did I mention the pleasure of it? Don't miss out on the pleasure... #books
www.economist.com/culture/2025...
www.economist.com/culture/2025...
Is the decline of reading making politics dumber?
As people read less they think less clearly, scholars fear
www.economist.com
November 29, 2025 at 5:30 PM
We seem to be getting stupider when we could really use our wits. The antidote? Reading more. Also a good antidote against the evils of social media, from distraction to misinformation. And did I mention the pleasure of it? Don't miss out on the pleasure... #books
www.economist.com/culture/2025...
www.economist.com/culture/2025...
Reposted by Lucy
Friends, Omar Hadad and his friend are taking it upon themselves to build Gaza's first library amidst the devastation there. If you can, please consider supporting in whatever way you can, even by sharing this campaign. Books, reading, libraries are important! chuffed.org/project/firs...
Building the First Library in Gaza After the Genocide
There are moments in history when the creation of a library becomes an act of freedom itself.Here in Gaza, after the genocide, Omar and Ibrahim understood that dreams protected by books do not yield —...
chuffed.org
November 24, 2025 at 9:34 PM
Friends, Omar Hadad and his friend are taking it upon themselves to build Gaza's first library amidst the devastation there. If you can, please consider supporting in whatever way you can, even by sharing this campaign. Books, reading, libraries are important! chuffed.org/project/firs...
Reposted by Lucy
The one thing I really miss about the 'older world' is browsing library stacks, and card catalogues. However much I appreciate databases and retrieving what I want in moments, the serendipity of 'the book next to the one I wanted' and 'the article in the same issue' cannot be replicated. #Libraries
November 24, 2025 at 11:39 AM
The one thing I really miss about the 'older world' is browsing library stacks, and card catalogues. However much I appreciate databases and retrieving what I want in moments, the serendipity of 'the book next to the one I wanted' and 'the article in the same issue' cannot be replicated. #Libraries
Reposted by Lucy
Barnes & Noble has managed to put together a list of 23 "best" history books of 2025, 4.5 of which are authored by women. www.barnesandnoble.com/blog/the-bes...
#womenalsoknowhistory <-- sometimes I think we don't need this hashtag anymore, and then I realize I'm very wrong.
#womenalsoknowhistory <-- sometimes I think we don't need this hashtag anymore, and then I realize I'm very wrong.
The Best History Books of 2025 - B&N Reads
Remember why history matters and let the past teach you about how people lived, fought for change and evolved. These are the best history books of 2025.
www.barnesandnoble.com
November 17, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Barnes & Noble has managed to put together a list of 23 "best" history books of 2025, 4.5 of which are authored by women. www.barnesandnoble.com/blog/the-bes...
#womenalsoknowhistory <-- sometimes I think we don't need this hashtag anymore, and then I realize I'm very wrong.
#womenalsoknowhistory <-- sometimes I think we don't need this hashtag anymore, and then I realize I'm very wrong.
😁 😉
November 6, 2025 at 7:17 PM
😁 😉
Reposted by Lucy
This linen dress is 4,500 years old! On display in the Egyptian exhibition at the Fitzwilliam, Cambridge. fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk
November 5, 2025 at 8:44 AM
This linen dress is 4,500 years old! On display in the Egyptian exhibition at the Fitzwilliam, Cambridge. fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk
Beyond William... The skills of May Morris & her circle deserve to be more widely known & credited 😍
The work of May Morris (1862-1938) influential English embroidery designer, jeweller, socialist, and editor who supported and taught fellow female artists #WomensArt#WomensArt
November 5, 2025 at 9:53 AM
Beyond William... The skills of May Morris & her circle deserve to be more widely known & credited 😍
Reposted by Lucy
I love when you ask an autistic person for something and they're like STAND BY and you know you're about to get the absolute best resources available.
October 23, 2025 at 3:26 AM
I love when you ask an autistic person for something and they're like STAND BY and you know you're about to get the absolute best resources available.
Reposted by Lucy
Supporting people's capacity for joy and connection is important work. One little thing at a time. Your delight is not frivolous.
October 21, 2025 at 2:47 PM
Supporting people's capacity for joy and connection is important work. One little thing at a time. Your delight is not frivolous.
This beats anything I've ever found in a charity shop 😲
A sklfully embroidered banner made by UK suffragettes in their workshops was recently found stowed away in a little charity shop in Leeds. The once-forgotten item sold at auction for £13,600 #UnravellingWomensArt
October 21, 2025 at 10:58 AM
This beats anything I've ever found in a charity shop 😲
"a work of genius"
Yes
Yes
This new book by @cartoonkate.bsky.social is a breath-takingly beautiful thing: I'd go so far as to say a work of genius.
It's my privilege to be interviewing her about it at the East Gate Bookshop, Totnes on 23rd October. Please join us if you can:
www.totnespulse.co.uk/product/tick...
It's my privilege to be interviewing her about it at the East Gate Bookshop, Totnes on 23rd October. Please join us if you can:
www.totnespulse.co.uk/product/tick...
Ticket: Patchwork: A Graphic Biography of Jane Austen
Kate Evans is a writer, cartoonist, illustrator and studied English literature at the University of Sussex in Brighton. From 1995 to 1998 Evans dedicated herself to environmental activism, providing c...
www.totnespulse.co.uk
October 10, 2025 at 4:30 AM
"a work of genius"
Yes
Yes
Reposted by Lucy
Dr. Jane Goodall filmed an interview with Netflix in March 2025 that she understood would only be released after her death.
October 5, 2025 at 9:08 AM
Dr. Jane Goodall filmed an interview with Netflix in March 2025 that she understood would only be released after her death.
Reposted by Lucy
Do one thing today to help. One thing tomorrow. One thing the day after. Taking a swing at every bad thing happening is just going to burn you out. Remember, if everyone does their one thing the world changes
September 19, 2025 at 4:20 PM
Do one thing today to help. One thing tomorrow. One thing the day after. Taking a swing at every bad thing happening is just going to burn you out. Remember, if everyone does their one thing the world changes
So true
Me, teaching medieval history: there is so much fascinating and sophisticated science and technology in these various societies, look
Me, the rare occasions I do laundry by hand: no technology in the history of humankind beats the invention of the washing machine
Me, the rare occasions I do laundry by hand: no technology in the history of humankind beats the invention of the washing machine
September 8, 2025 at 4:59 AM
So true
13 of my book editions have been used without permission or recompense to train AI. That's across genres and languages. If you use AI to 'write' books or create art you are continuing the theft of someone else's labour.
Just a reminder to check for your name in this list of books that OpenAI trained from. If your name is there, they probably owe you several thousand dollars.
OpenAI cried that if everyone eligible author files, the company will go bankrupt, so I'm alerting every author I have ever spoken to.
OpenAI cried that if everyone eligible author files, the company will go bankrupt, so I'm alerting every author I have ever spoken to.
Search LibGen, the Pirated-Books Database That Meta Used to Train AI
Millions of books and scientific papers are captured in the collection’s current iteration.
www.theatlantic.com
September 7, 2025 at 8:50 AM
13 of my book editions have been used without permission or recompense to train AI. That's across genres and languages. If you use AI to 'write' books or create art you are continuing the theft of someone else's labour.
Reposted by Lucy
'Chemical dyes are often toxic for the environment and bad for human health, so the costume designers at the theatre are experimenting with using flowers including indigo, dahlias, hollyhocks, camomile and wild fennel to create the vivid colours used in their productions.'
‘It’s a secret garden’: National Theatre turns roof into a riot of colour with dye plants
Textile artists are reshaping how the theatre makes its costumes with the aim of replacing harsh synthetic dyes
www.theguardian.com
September 7, 2025 at 7:09 AM
'Chemical dyes are often toxic for the environment and bad for human health, so the costume designers at the theatre are experimenting with using flowers including indigo, dahlias, hollyhocks, camomile and wild fennel to create the vivid colours used in their productions.'
Yep
I detest clothes shopping these days. Being a lady of mature years does not mean I want to look frumpy. I want affordable stylish things. Not frills & ribbons nor poor quality fabrics. And sleeves & pockets. Sure I am not alone
September 6, 2025 at 6:50 AM
Yep
Reposted by Lucy
APPARENTLY, ‘muffin-walloper’ is Victorian slang for an unmarried woman who enjoys meeting up with friends for tea, cake, and gossip. Why am I only hearing about this now?!
August 24, 2025 at 8:37 AM
APPARENTLY, ‘muffin-walloper’ is Victorian slang for an unmarried woman who enjoys meeting up with friends for tea, cake, and gossip. Why am I only hearing about this now?!
Reposted by Lucy
Reposted by Lucy
One of the best ways to break yourself out of a reading slump is to read a subgenre you don't normally read
August 14, 2025 at 1:27 PM
One of the best ways to break yourself out of a reading slump is to read a subgenre you don't normally read
Reposted by Lucy
Another long day… The usual, please
August 11, 2025 at 1:26 PM
Another long day… The usual, please
Most excellent writing advice from someone who knows 📚
August 9, 2025 at 11:22 AM
Most excellent writing advice from someone who knows 📚
An amazing textile memorial 😍
'The quilts were the work of Ellen Freeman, who had stitched together offcuts salvaged from the floor of Lister's Mill in Manningham, then [the 1860s] one of Bradford's great textile powerhouses.'
As someone who grew up in the shadow of Listers Mill in Bradford, this story brought a tear to my eye:
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
July 29, 2025 at 9:33 PM
An amazing textile memorial 😍