What Wakefield Wore

In 2025, we'll be opening our New Library and Museum in the former BHS Wakefield building! 

Digital Volunteer Rebecca has been looking back at BHS Wakefield's history, and explores how it influenced 'what Wakefield wore' in this guest blog:

BHS Wakefield - at the heart of Kirkgate

The department store British Home Stores (commonly referred to as BHS) was founded in 1928 and ran for a total of 88 years. 

There were over 160 BHS stores, located at the heart of high streets across the country. They all closed in 2016.

BHS Wakefield opened in the 1930s on Kirkgate and quickly became popular with local residents. The store mainly sold home goods and clothing for men, women and children. It later also expanded to food. 

BHS Wakefield followed the ethos of encouraging local people to ‘buy British’.

 

Kirkgate in the 1970s - BHS is on the right

John G was a Manager at BHS Wakefield. He remembers that “BHS in the 1970s was very different to the store that entered the 21st century”. 

Over the years, the Wakefield branch underwent many changes. These included increasing the size of its sales floor, beginning to sell a wider range of merchandise and displaying their stock differently. 

Despite these changes, BHS was always renowned for looking after their staff members and creating a close-knit community.

Staff take to the stage

Throughout the 1960s and 70s BHS’s ‘ready-to-wear’ clothing made fashion trends accessible for everyone, including their own staff.

In the 1970s, the staff of BHS Wakefield staged their own fashion show to showcase the clothes available to buy in the store at the time. 

A member of the ‘You know you have lived in Wakefield when…’ Facebook group fondly remembers that the fashion show was held at Unity Hall and that it even made the local newspaper!

The fashion show featured many sought-after characteristics of 1970s fashion, such as floral prints, embroidery, synthetic fabrics such as polyester, athletic wear, different styles of dresses and a large array of nightgowns.

Photo courtesy of John G

In the photo above a staff member is wearing a neutral-coloured shirt dress paired with bold red accessories. 

Dresses in boxy styles such as these became popular in the 1970s. They followed the more ‘masculine’ style of women’s clothing which was seen in shirt dresses of the 1950s. 

Worn with heeled shoes and an on-trend neck scarf, they are showing how these dresses can be styled to look stylish, yet comfortable. 

Another popular trend at the time was bright coloured athletic wear, as shown modelled here:

Photo courtesy of John G

High-rise shorts are seen paired with hoodies and zip-up tops which show how sportwear began to be seen as fashionable rather than purely practical. 

Photo courtesy of John G

Fashion of the 1970s is known for its bold colours and prints, as in the photo above. 

Created in the 1960s, psychedelic prints, such as the one used to make this skirt, featured intense colours and flowing patterns. Here the swirls of different shades of purple come together to create the bold design of this long flowing skirt, also part of the stock at BHS Wakefield.

Photo courtesy of John G

One of the most prominent items of clothing showcased in the BHS Wakefield fashion show is their range of flowing nightgowns for both women and children. 

From long gowns made from satin fabrics with embroidered flowers, to shorter sheer styles with lace details, the variety of these nightgowns shows their popularity within Wakefield in the 70s.

Photo courtesy of John G

Special thanks to John G for sharing his memories and the photos featured in the article and members of local Facebook groups who gave details of their time at BHS.

We want to know ‘What Wakefield Wore’ in the 1970s! Were you inspired by the fashion show? 

What parts of 1970s fashion would you bring back today - or never want to see again? 

Let us know in the comments!

Click here to find out more about our New Library and Museum project

Oral History Volunteer - New Opportunity

Looking to learn new skills and meet new people?

Join us as an Oral History Volunteer!

Some gents having a chat in Fryston, taken by Jack Hulme between 1935 and 1955

In 2025, we will open an exciting new Library & Museum in the heart of Wakefield City Centre. The new site will feature innovative and interactive museum galleries, which tell the story of the whole Wakefield district. We want the new galleries to be full of personal stories from local people, told in their own words, so we’re embarking on a large-scale oral history project. We’ll be going out into the community and recording interviews with local people about the stories and experiences that have shaped their lives and our district.

We are looking for Oral History Volunteers to head out into the community to record interviews with local people on a wide range of subjects. You will use audio recording equipment to record your interview, and you will make sure the appropriate paperwork is completed. You will listen carefully and empathetically to local people’s stories and ensure that they feel valued and appreciated. You will also share our plans for the new museum with enthusiasm and passion, helping us to build up excitement for the project.

This opportunity is based in the community. All travel expenses will be reimbursed.  

What will I be doing?

-       Attending training on oral history interviewing.

-       Contacting individuals in the community and setting up appointments for you to visit them or for them to visit one of our sites, depending on their preference.

-       Recording oral history interviews, using audio recording equipment.

-       Completing the appropriate paperwork.

-       Writing short summaries of the interviews you have recorded.

 

What skills, experience and qualities do I need?

-       Interest in museums, collections, history, or art.

-       Excellent listening skills.

-       Accuracy and attention to detail when recording information.

-       A friendly, approachable manner and the confidence to speak to members of the public.

 

How much time will I be expected to give?

-       At least two days per month, but more would be preferable. Exact dates and times are still to be worked out with interviewees, so some flexibility is needed.   

What can I expect from Wakefield Museums & Castles?

-       A rare chance to work on a large-scale museum development project and to listen to the stories and experiences of local people.

-       A welcoming and friendly team of staff and volunteers to work with.

-       Induction, full training, and ongoing support.

-       A named member of staff to provide support and answer questions.

-       An opportunity to develop skills, knowledge, and confidence.

-       A sense of achievement.

The induction programme for this role will include:

-       An overview of Wakefield Museums & Castles, our sites and collections- who we are and what we do.

-       Our volunteer policy and the volunteer agreement (signed by volunteers and their supervisor), including Assignment of Copyright and our Transparency Notice about how we process and protect your personal data.

-       Relevant policies and procedures, including Health and Safety.

-       Full training in oral history interviews, provided by the Oral History Society.

How do I apply?

Please email Leah Mellors, Museums Development Manager, on lmellors@wakefield.gov.uk with any queries or to request an Expression of Interest form.

Expressions of Interest must be returned by Monday 20^th February 2023.

Click here for all of our current volunteering opportunities

New Museum Development Survey

 

We have put together a short survey looking for your views on what stories we should tell in the new museum and how we should tell them.

It should only take around 5-10 minutes, and every response is extremely helpful!

To access the survey (opens in a new window), click here

For more information on the New Library and Museum for Wakefield, click here

What puts Wakefield on the map?

We've been going around the District as part of the A Grand Day Out summer festivals, asking about the places, memories, stories and people that make Wakefield special to you. 

Below is an interactive image with some of your contributions so far - move your mouse over the flags for more information! 

Green flags are places and attractions, yellow flags are memories, pink flags are for people and community groups, and blue flags are about where people live.

What places, memories or people would you put on the map?
Comment below or get in touch at museums@wakefield.gov.uk to tell us your stories!

To find out more about the New Library and Museum for Wakefield, click here