Fashion and rail travel come together in a new exhibition opening at Train World in Schaarbeek / Schaerbeek (Brussels) on 18 September. ‘Fashion & Trains. Fashion along the railway, since 1835’ explores how clothing, uniforms, luggage, railway carriages and travel habits have changed together over almost two centuries.
The exhibition at the NMBS / SNCB railway museum is part of the railway operator’s centenary celebrations. Under the slogan ‘100 years. The journey continues’, NMBS / SNCB is marking its 100th anniversary in 2026 with a programme of events and initiatives.
‘Fashion & Trains’ takes visitors from the first railway connection between Brussels and Mechelen to the introduction of high-speed rail. Along the way, it looks at how different eras of train travel were reflected in the fabrics, colours and cuts worn by passengers and railway staff.
Rather than telling the history of the railway solely through locomotives and carriages, the exhibition offers a different perspective: what people wore when they travelled.
It also explores the influence of the railway on changing habits, tastes and ways of travelling. Historical NMBS / SNCB collections are displayed alongside clothing, accessories, luggage and railway uniforms dating from 1835 to the present day.
Trains, fashion and railway posters
Railway advertising is another key element of the exhibition. A selection of historic railway posters shows how operators once encouraged passengers to travel for leisure and holidays, while also illustrating the close relationship between railway travel, fashion and changing lifestyles.
The poster section was curated by Belgian poster specialist Karl Scheerlinck. The exhibition was developed in collaboration with the Brussels Fashion and Lace Museum, MoMu Antwerp, Modemuseum Hasselt, the Museum of Walloon Life, Delvaux, and the Brussels College of Art and Design.
Together, the objects offer a social and cultural history of travel, showing how the railway became more than a means of transport and helped shape how people dressed, travelled and presented themselves in public.
Part of NMBS / SNCB centenary celebrations
‘Fashion & Trains’ is one of the highlights of the programme marking 100 years of NMBS / SNCB. Other initiatives during the anniversary year include concerts at railway stations, an art competition for art schools, displays of a historic train at three stations, podcasts, playlists and open days at two railway workshops.
Practical information
Fashion & Trains. Fashion along the railway, since 1835 runs from 18 September 2026 to 29 August 2027 at Train World, next to Schaerbeek Railway Station in Brussels.
The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 17:00, with last admission at 15:30. It is closed on Mondays.
Tickets cost €15 for adults, €11 for children aged 6 to 17 and €5 for children aged 4 to 5. Children under four enter free.
Group bookings can be made via reservations@trainworld.be.
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