Paris, New York and London: three of the four fashion capitals of the world are holding exhibitions this fall which display legendary pieces by exceptional designers. Some of these shows finish in a few weeks, so there's not much time for fashionistas get their heels on and head to the museums...

Anatomy of a Collection at the Palais Galliera, Paris
The history of clothing is being told in an unusual way at the City of Paris Fashion Museum (Palais Galliera) until October 23. Around a hundred garments and accessories take us through the history of fashion. Highlights include a pajama suit worn by the British actress and model Tilda Swinton, a dress that belonged to Empress Josephine, and Marie-Antoinette's corset.

Undressed: A Brief History of Underwear at the V&A Museum, London
This exhibition on the history of women's and men's underwear from the 18th century to the present day runs until March 12, 2017, at London's Victoria and Albert Museum. Through some 200 pieces and archive documents, the exhibition explores the role of underwear and how the notion of the ideal body has changed.

Culture Chanel exhibition: The woman who reads at the Ca'Pesaro, Venice
The Ca'Pesaro International Gallery of Modern Art in Venice, a city loved by Gabrielle Chanel, will hold the seventh instalment in the ongoing Culture Chanel international exhibition series from September 17, 2016 to January 8, 2017. This new instalment will be devoted to the books which played a significant role in the fashion trailblazer's creative life. A total of 350 works by authors such as Homer, Plato, Virgil, Sophocles, Lucretia, Montaigne, Cervantes, Madame de Sévigné and Jean Cocteau will be displayed in the manner of a library.

Masterworks: Unpacking Fashion at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
From November 8, 2016 to February 5, 2017 the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art will dissect the way in which its collecting strategy has changed from an encyclopedic approach to creating a body of masterworks. Concentrating on the last ten years of purchases, the exhibition will highlight around 60 of these masterworks.

Tenue correcte exigée, quand le vêtement fait scandale (Appropriate dress required: when clothing causes a scandal) at the Musée des Arts décoratifs, Paris
From December 1, 2016 to April 23, 2017 this exhibition will display many items of clothing which have been the subject of criticism or even banned before becoming everyday apparel. All the garments on display, including the shirt-dress, the female tuxedo and the miniskirt, were condemned at one time or another in history. In addition to the "scandalous" clothing, visitors will be able to peruse portraits, caricatures and advertisements.