The Costume Society
Analysis
The Costume Society is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in East Sussex. It was registered in May 1971, 55 years ago. Its declared purposes cover education/training and arts/culture/heritage/science, which this site groups under arts, culture, heritage and science. It says it provides advocacy/advice/information and sponsors or undertakes research.
In the financial year ending December 2025, The Costume Society reported income of £145k and spending of £104k, leaving 28% of income unspent that year. Across the 5 years on record, from December 2021 to December 2025, income fell from £298k to £145k (-51%), an average of -16% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to December 2025, when income rose by 129%. Over the whole period it spent 50% of the income it received.
Among 17,634 England and Wales charities whose main cause is arts, culture, heritage and science and that reported income, The Costume Society sits at the 83rd percentile: it is larger than about 82% of them. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 76th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Museum of Architecture (£145k), The Royal Air Force Air Defence Radar Museum (£145k) and Leyburn Arts Centre Limited (£145k).
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Other 100%
In the charity's own words
The objects of the charity are to promote, for the benefit of the public, education in dress throughout the ages and across the world and to encourage the preservation of historic examples of dress together with relevant source materials.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| Museum of Architecture | London | £145k |
| The Royal Air Force Air Defence Radar Museum | Norwich | £145k |
| Leyburn Arts Centre Limited | North Yorkshire | £145k |
| Young People's Puppet Theatre | Hertfordshire | £145k |