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sarah_moynihan's review
4.0
'What did a Victorian lady wear for a walk in the park? How did she style her hair for an evening at the theatre? And what products might she have used to soothe a sunburn or treat an unsightly blemish? Mimi Matthews answers these questions and more as she takes readers on a decade-by-decade journey through Victorian fashion and beauty history.
Women's clothing changed dramatically during the course of the Victorian era. Necklines rose, waistlines dropped, and Gothic severity gave way to flounces, frills, and an abundance of trimmings. Sleeves ballooned up and skirts billowed out. The crinoline morphed into the bustle and steam-moulded corsets cinched women's waists ever tighter.
As fashion was evolving, so too were trends in ladies' hair care and cosmetics. An era which began by prizing natural, barefaced beauty ended with women purchasing lip and cheek rouge, false hairpieces and pomades, and fashionable perfumes made with expensive spice oils and animal essences.
Using research from nineteenth century beauty books, fashion magazines, and lady's journals, Mimi Matthews brings the intricacies of a Victorian lady's toilette into modern day focus. In the process, she gives readers a glimpse of the social issues that influenced women's clothing and the societal outrage that was an all too frequent response to those bold females who used fashion and beauty as a means of asserting their individuality and independence.'
___________________________
4.5 stars, rounded down to 4 stars.
I have read all of Mimi Matthews' historical fictions, but A Victorian Lady's Guide to Fashion Beauty is the first of her historical nonfictions which I have read. Following her newsletter on her author's page however, I can say that the tone if this book is very remenisent of the manner in which she writes those newsletters, which often feature deep-dives into the various aspects of Victorian life. They are always well-researched, clear, and detailed with many quotes from publishings and periodicals of the day focused on the matter. The same can be said of this book, the time and reasearch put into the writing is clear with plenty of detail.
I'm very glad for the included illustrations because some of the styles are hard to picture in your mind due to their intricacy(the hairstyles are coming to mind for me here). There was much of the information in this book that I was previously aware of, but I was not clear on the timeline and evolution, so it was interesting to see how some trends would fade only to later come back into fashion, if slightly altered. At the same time though there was some information that was new to me and was similarly interesting to learn about.
Nonfictions are not normally my go to, but I do enjoy reading them from time to time and I did enjoy reading this one. A Victorian Lady's Guide to Fashion and Beauty does a lovely job on detailing the evolution of the Victorian era, which paved the way for the further changes and advancements of the Edwardian era. I found it very interesting and I will go back at some point to read one of Matthews' other nonfictions. In fact I would be interested to read another nonfiction from Mimi Matthews, should she write it, that similarly details the evolution of fashion and beauty throughout the Edwardian era.
_____
I received a paperback copy of this book through a giveaway held by the author, many thanks to Mimi Matthews for sending me a copy of A Victorian Lady's Guide to Fashion and Beauty. This is my honest review.
Women's clothing changed dramatically during the course of the Victorian era. Necklines rose, waistlines dropped, and Gothic severity gave way to flounces, frills, and an abundance of trimmings. Sleeves ballooned up and skirts billowed out. The crinoline morphed into the bustle and steam-moulded corsets cinched women's waists ever tighter.
As fashion was evolving, so too were trends in ladies' hair care and cosmetics. An era which began by prizing natural, barefaced beauty ended with women purchasing lip and cheek rouge, false hairpieces and pomades, and fashionable perfumes made with expensive spice oils and animal essences.
Using research from nineteenth century beauty books, fashion magazines, and lady's journals, Mimi Matthews brings the intricacies of a Victorian lady's toilette into modern day focus. In the process, she gives readers a glimpse of the social issues that influenced women's clothing and the societal outrage that was an all too frequent response to those bold females who used fashion and beauty as a means of asserting their individuality and independence.'
___________________________
4.5 stars, rounded down to 4 stars.
I have read all of Mimi Matthews' historical fictions, but A Victorian Lady's Guide to Fashion Beauty is the first of her historical nonfictions which I have read. Following her newsletter on her author's page however, I can say that the tone if this book is very remenisent of the manner in which she writes those newsletters, which often feature deep-dives into the various aspects of Victorian life. They are always well-researched, clear, and detailed with many quotes from publishings and periodicals of the day focused on the matter. The same can be said of this book, the time and reasearch put into the writing is clear with plenty of detail.
I'm very glad for the included illustrations because some of the styles are hard to picture in your mind due to their intricacy(the hairstyles are coming to mind for me here). There was much of the information in this book that I was previously aware of, but I was not clear on the timeline and evolution, so it was interesting to see how some trends would fade only to later come back into fashion, if slightly altered. At the same time though there was some information that was new to me and was similarly interesting to learn about.
Nonfictions are not normally my go to, but I do enjoy reading them from time to time and I did enjoy reading this one. A Victorian Lady's Guide to Fashion and Beauty does a lovely job on detailing the evolution of the Victorian era, which paved the way for the further changes and advancements of the Edwardian era. I found it very interesting and I will go back at some point to read one of Matthews' other nonfictions. In fact I would be interested to read another nonfiction from Mimi Matthews, should she write it, that similarly details the evolution of fashion and beauty throughout the Edwardian era.
_____
I received a paperback copy of this book through a giveaway held by the author, many thanks to Mimi Matthews for sending me a copy of A Victorian Lady's Guide to Fashion and Beauty. This is my honest review.
pomegranate_muse's review against another edition
slow-paced
2.0
As a lover of Victorian history and fashion, I had high hopes for this book. With promises of historical context and answered questions, I found myself dissatisfied.
First, the good:
~ There was a breakdown on trends and fashion for each decade within the Victorian Era. I found that quite pleasing and helpful.
~ The fashion of sleeves and skirts, as well as accessories and hair, were quite detailed.
~ It was short and compact.
The bad:
~ There were barely any illustrations. I find that it would have been immensely helpful to show the reader what exactly made a skirt gored and so forth.
~ There were not many explanations given for the different styles or terminologies used within the book. Either a glossary or in-chapter explanations would have been immensely helpful.
~ While the book was thorough with describing the way a lady may have styled herself in any given decade, the material was presented in a dull, list-like manner. I understand that it is a monumental task to cover all the material needed for such a book on fashion, but I do believe there could have been a more riveting, passionate way to present the material.
~ Though there are many citations of vintage magazines and manuals, there was a severe lacking in the promised historical context of why certain styles were popular, why certain materials were used, ect. When there were explanations given, such as with cashmere shawls, they sorely lacked depth or further explanation. In the section speaking about the Japanese influence on fashion during the latter part of the Era, I do wish we had gotten more history. Were people generally accepting of the trends or did they oppose them? Did they also eat Japanese food in lieu of their fashion obsession? What did they think of the Japanese as a whole? Did they pick up any Japanese related hobbies? How is the Victorian fashion craze similar or different to our modern day fondness for Japanese culture and style? Such questions might be difficult to answer or fully verify, but those are the sorts of details that really bring a history to life.
~ The writing was quite repetitive.
~ A personal irk: when the author opened the sections with wording along the lines of "no longer content to be delicate ornaments in the ballroom, these women became more active/changed fashion." The reason this irks me is twofold. Firstly, because it implies that women, no matter what era, were ever content to be merely ornamental. Women, for the most part, have always been relegated to the ornamental, to the invisible hand that runs the household, and to be nothing more than what men deem them acceptable to be. Women of all eras had dreams, ambitions, hobbies, and things they took pride in. The limitation to the mind and role of a woman and the hobbies she engages in is primarily due to society.
Secondly, women were not always able to change or sway fashion.
This statement paints the scene to imply or at least not question the stance in which women throughout history, especially in the Victorian Era, were delicate, dullminded, and easily breakable.
Since this is a fashion book, I would have loved to see the ways in which women adorned themselves in silent protest, how they used the tools they had to empower themselves and others, and how they struggled with the infinite struggle that is being a woman. I would have loved to see the way that as the fashion changed, women were given more opportunities to grow alongside them. The book tries to do this, but it is handled very poorly.
Unfortunately, I cannot really recommend this book.
First, the good:
~ There was a breakdown on trends and fashion for each decade within the Victorian Era. I found that quite pleasing and helpful.
~ The fashion of sleeves and skirts, as well as accessories and hair, were quite detailed.
~ It was short and compact.
The bad:
~ There were barely any illustrations. I find that it would have been immensely helpful to show the reader what exactly made a skirt gored and so forth.
~ There were not many explanations given for the different styles or terminologies used within the book. Either a glossary or in-chapter explanations would have been immensely helpful.
~ While the book was thorough with describing the way a lady may have styled herself in any given decade, the material was presented in a dull, list-like manner. I understand that it is a monumental task to cover all the material needed for such a book on fashion, but I do believe there could have been a more riveting, passionate way to present the material.
~ Though there are many citations of vintage magazines and manuals, there was a severe lacking in the promised historical context of why certain styles were popular, why certain materials were used, ect. When there were explanations given, such as with cashmere shawls, they sorely lacked depth or further explanation. In the section speaking about the Japanese influence on fashion during the latter part of the Era, I do wish we had gotten more history. Were people generally accepting of the trends or did they oppose them? Did they also eat Japanese food in lieu of their fashion obsession? What did they think of the Japanese as a whole? Did they pick up any Japanese related hobbies? How is the Victorian fashion craze similar or different to our modern day fondness for Japanese culture and style? Such questions might be difficult to answer or fully verify, but those are the sorts of details that really bring a history to life.
~ The writing was quite repetitive.
~ A personal irk: when the author opened the sections with wording along the lines of "no longer content to be delicate ornaments in the ballroom, these women became more active/changed fashion." The reason this irks me is twofold. Firstly, because it implies that women, no matter what era, were ever content to be merely ornamental. Women, for the most part, have always been relegated to the ornamental, to the invisible hand that runs the household, and to be nothing more than what men deem them acceptable to be. Women of all eras had dreams, ambitions, hobbies, and things they took pride in. The limitation to the mind and role of a woman and the hobbies she engages in is primarily due to society.
Secondly, women were not always able to change or sway fashion.
This statement paints the scene to imply or at least not question the stance in which women throughout history, especially in the Victorian Era, were delicate, dullminded, and easily breakable.
Since this is a fashion book, I would have loved to see the ways in which women adorned themselves in silent protest, how they used the tools they had to empower themselves and others, and how they struggled with the infinite struggle that is being a woman. I would have loved to see the way that as the fashion changed, women were given more opportunities to grow alongside them. The book tries to do this, but it is handled very poorly.
Unfortunately, I cannot really recommend this book.
thegeekybibliophile's review
4.0
Women's fashions, hairstyles, and cosmetics changed a great deal during the Victorian era (between 1840-1900). If you're interested in learning about the various fashion dos and don'ts of a stylish Victorian lady, this is sure to be a book you'll enjoy.
Beautifully illustrated and well researched, Mimi Matthews book, A Victorian Lady's Guide to Fashion and Beauty, will tell you everything you wanted to know about fashions of this time period. Sorted by decade, the complete ensemble—dresses, underwear, outerwear, footwear, hats, accessories, and jewelry—is described in minute detail in the first part of the book. I was fascinated with the description of each garment, but I would often stop reading for a moment in order to gaze at the illustrations.
The second part deals with fashion etiquette (what to where, and when). Fashionable ladies wore a morning/at home dress, walking dress, afternoon/visiting dress, dinner dress, and (presumably only for special occasions) an evening dress or ball gown. That's a minimum of four dresses worn per day! It wears me out just thinking about it. The rest of this section is sorted in sub-sections for riding habits, holiday fashions, and sportswear, as well as proper clothing for marriage, maternity, and mourning.
The final portion of the book, part three, is devoted to beauty. Victorian hair care, hairstyles and hairdressing, skin care, and cosmetics. The hairstyles of the period were every bit as elaborate as the clothing, requiring a skillful set of hands and eventually false hair to result in a trendy 'do. Common ingredients used for skin care included arsenic, mercury, and lime. (Yikes! I think I'll stick with Noxema.)
It was a lot of fun reading about the trends of that long ago time. As much as I love the fashions, I have to say I'm glad to be alive now rather than then!
I received an advance reading copy of this book courtesy of Pen & Sword History via Netgalley.
Beautifully illustrated and well researched, Mimi Matthews book, A Victorian Lady's Guide to Fashion and Beauty, will tell you everything you wanted to know about fashions of this time period. Sorted by decade, the complete ensemble—dresses, underwear, outerwear, footwear, hats, accessories, and jewelry—is described in minute detail in the first part of the book. I was fascinated with the description of each garment, but I would often stop reading for a moment in order to gaze at the illustrations.
The second part deals with fashion etiquette (what to where, and when). Fashionable ladies wore a morning/at home dress, walking dress, afternoon/visiting dress, dinner dress, and (presumably only for special occasions) an evening dress or ball gown. That's a minimum of four dresses worn per day! It wears me out just thinking about it. The rest of this section is sorted in sub-sections for riding habits, holiday fashions, and sportswear, as well as proper clothing for marriage, maternity, and mourning.
The final portion of the book, part three, is devoted to beauty. Victorian hair care, hairstyles and hairdressing, skin care, and cosmetics. The hairstyles of the period were every bit as elaborate as the clothing, requiring a skillful set of hands and eventually false hair to result in a trendy 'do. Common ingredients used for skin care included arsenic, mercury, and lime. (Yikes! I think I'll stick with Noxema.)
It was a lot of fun reading about the trends of that long ago time. As much as I love the fashions, I have to say I'm glad to be alive now rather than then!
I received an advance reading copy of this book courtesy of Pen & Sword History via Netgalley.
marie_emilia's review
4.0
Le sujet m'intéressant d’emblée, je fus très satisfaite des informations que j'y ai appris, tant sur la mode, les matériaux, les différentes époques stylistiques au sein du XIXe siècle et certaines raisons liées à ces styles (par exemple, le rôle de la guerre de Crimée). Malgré la présence d'images représentatives, je pense qu'il aurait été intéressant d'accorder plus d'attention aux détails (par exemple, une stylistique de broderie, de maroquinerie ou de bijou). Sinon, j'ai adoré ce livre !
#AVictorianLady'sGuideToFashionAndBeauty #NetGalley #Indigoemployee
#AVictorianLady'sGuideToFashionAndBeauty #NetGalley #Indigoemployee
anneliesb's review
4.0
Thank you NetGalley for the free ARC
Great little book concerning everything to do with lady's fashion during the Victorian era.
The first part is a very methodical overview of the key points of fashion per decade, it is rather list-like and therefore gets a bit tedious, but I guess this would work if you want to use this as a reference book. The changes in dress through the century are addressed in detail, however I think it could do with more pictures. For one because I love those old fashion prints, but also because it can be challenging at times to imagine which fringe goes where. It helps if you have a generous helping of BBC costume drama on the side.
Part II and III were actually more interesting, because they go into specific situatons and circumstances as well as beauty products. Part II features riding habits, beachwear, sportswear, and dresses for weddings, maternity and mourning. Part III goes into hair care, hair styles, skin care, and cosmetics.
I really enjoyes it, but there are 2 but's for me:
-lack of pictures
-It would have been nice to also have an idea about how the lower classes dressed and how high fashion trickled down to the servant uniforms. I know the clue is in the title, it's a LADY's guide, but I'm curious.
Great little book concerning everything to do with lady's fashion during the Victorian era.
The first part is a very methodical overview of the key points of fashion per decade, it is rather list-like and therefore gets a bit tedious, but I guess this would work if you want to use this as a reference book. The changes in dress through the century are addressed in detail, however I think it could do with more pictures. For one because I love those old fashion prints, but also because it can be challenging at times to imagine which fringe goes where. It helps if you have a generous helping of BBC costume drama on the side.
Part II and III were actually more interesting, because they go into specific situatons and circumstances as well as beauty products. Part II features riding habits, beachwear, sportswear, and dresses for weddings, maternity and mourning. Part III goes into hair care, hair styles, skin care, and cosmetics.
I really enjoyes it, but there are 2 but's for me:
-lack of pictures
-It would have been nice to also have an idea about how the lower classes dressed and how high fashion trickled down to the servant uniforms. I know the clue is in the title, it's a LADY's guide, but I'm curious.