Stylized: The Road to Elegance

Stylized: The Road to Elegance highlights the role that women played in not only fashion but auto styling trends of the early 20th century. As the auto market became saturated by the 1920s, with most families owning a car, spurring new sales required innovation, not only in the technologies and capabilities of the vehicles but in the styling of individual makes and models. During this era, early automakers capitalized on women’s influence in an expanding economy and in their interest in evolving styles by placing ads in such popular women’s magazines as Vogue and Ladies Home Journal (as well as Popular Mechanics). These ads prominently featured fashionable men and women, offering ideals that appealed to an emerging consumer culture. From formal wear to bathing suits, the exhibit features men’s and women’s vintage and reproduction clothing on loan from our exhibit partners.

The exhibit is on view from now until the end of November 2023. It is included in admission to the museum during any of our open days (Thursdays and Fridays from 1 to 4 pm) or during special events (including Steamin’ Days, Auburn Heights After Hours and the Auburn Heights Invitational).

Parking is available on open days in the event lot across the street from the site. If parking is unavailable there, parking is available inside the estate between the museum and Carriage House or on the opposite side of the museum near the water tower.

Handicap and accessible parking is available within the estate between the Carriage House and the museum or past the museum near the water tower.

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