wardrobe mistress

American  

noun

1. a woman in charge of keeping theatrical costumes cleaned, pressed, and in wearable condition.

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wardrobe mistress British  

noun

1. a person responsible for maintaining and sometimes making the costumes in a theatre

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Etymology

Origin of wardrobe mistress

First recorded in 1895–1900

Example Sentences

With a wave of his hand and a few whispered words, the stage manager handed her off to the wardrobe mistress.

From Literature

“The wardrobe mistress always needs help. People scarcely know how to sew on a button anymore, it seems. And they call that progress! Come inside and wait. I’ll see if she’s busy.”

From Literature

“Mademoiselle, you’re in luck. The wardrobe mistress is in a frenzy mending the costumes for tonight’s performance, for they are delicate. If you can so much as hold a needle, you will be put to work at once. Follow me.”

From Literature

With a brief demonstration, the wardrobe mistress showed Penelope how to stitch fresh feathers to the bare spots.

From Literature

The wardrobe mistress was soon satisfied and left her to carry on unsupervised, for the performance would begin in less than an hour and she had a long to-do list to attend to.

From Literature