Shirt Fragment c. 1900

This “Shirt Fragment,” of unknown date, comes to us anonymously. The shirt, or rather a fragment of it, asks us to consider the lives of ordinary people whose stories often go untold. Made from cotton, it features alternating stripes of blue and undyed fabric. This simple design evokes a sense of everyday life and work, hinting at the garment's possible use in labor. Historically, textiles have been deeply connected to identity, class, and gender, and the material of cotton itself is laden with the complex history of global trade and colonialism. Who made this shirt? Who wore it? As we look at this fragment, it offers us a poignant reminder of the individuals whose labor and lives are woven into the fabric of history. What stories might this fragment tell if it could speak?