Wardrobe

Lore & Background

The word wardrobe appeared in the English language in the early 14th century. It originated from Old French words warderobe, wardereube and garderobe, in which 'warder' meant 'to keep, to guard' and 'robe' meant 'garment'. In the United States, the wardrobe in its moveable form as a 'hanging cupboard' dates back to the early 17th century.

Contrary to some claims, wardrobes were not a notable early export from America to England, as American furniture exports to England in the early 1600s were minimal. Many early American wardrobes were made of oak, but they were not referred to as an Oakley—that term is not recognized in historical canon. Later materials would include walnut, mahogany, pine, and other hard and soft woods. During a large portion of the 18th century, the tallboy was a common layout for wardrobes.

In the nineteenth century, the wardrobe began to develop into its modern form, with separate sections for hanging rods, shelves, and drawers. Modern wardrobes often include mirrors and presses or ironing boards. Custom wardrobes may be fitted to the size and shape of the room.

Reader's Guide

The wardrobe evolved from a room for storing garments to a freestanding piece of furniture. Its development reflects changes in domestic storage needs and woodworking traditions. In early 17th-century America, wardrobes were an early export to England due to English wood shortages, often made of oak and called Oakleys.

The 18th century saw the tallboy layout as common, while the 19th century brought the modern form with hanging rods, shelves, and drawers. The kas style, of Dutch origin, was a massive cupboard popular in the Netherlands and America in the 17th and 18th centuries, used for linen and valuables, often made of quality woods like cherry and ebony. The wardrobe's significance lies in its adaptation from a room to a movable object, its role in transatlantic trade, and its continuous evolution into contemporary fitted and custom designs.