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scgbean's review against another edition
5.0
Huge book with tons of pictures and detailed information. This is a book I would definitely love to keep in my house.
firerosearien's review against another edition
4.0
Good general reference, although heavily weighted towards 20thc.
tanyarobinson's review against another edition
5.0
I'm pretty sure this is the biggest, bulkiest, heaviest book that I own. Working through it has been a fashion education for me, as I have learned all sorts of terms, trends, and techniques that go into making high fashion. I am definitely struck that fashion is and always has been something dictated by the rich and powerful, from Medieval royals to Victorian aristocrats to modern Hollywood stars. Yes, it trickles down to the rest of us, but most of the ingenuity happens up top. I can also see that in today's age there is a much greater variety in what is "in fashion," whereas in previous centuries everything down to sleeve shape was often consistent across the board.
Though I did read every word in this book, it is clearly designed as more of a "peruse at your leisure" type of work. The best parts are the pictures. Early illustrations draw largely from sculpture, then painting, and finally advertising copy. There are photographs of some beautiful early reconstructions, and approaching the 1700's many gorgeous antique garments. I was fascinated to see the changing shape of the woman's body as different types of undergarments sucked her in and thrust her out to fit the fashionable silhouette of each time period. It was also intriguing to see the huge changes in menswear, from the elaborately (even femininely) decorated doublets of the Renaissance and Rococo periods, to the ubiquitous three-piece suits of the last three centuries.
I am more interested in historical fashion than current-day trends, so the last 50 or so pages were my least favorite, but overall I'm giving Fashion: The Definitively History of Costume and Style 4.5 stars rounded up to a 5. This one is definitely recommended for anyone interested in the ways we have dressed!
Though I did read every word in this book, it is clearly designed as more of a "peruse at your leisure" type of work. The best parts are the pictures. Early illustrations draw largely from sculpture, then painting, and finally advertising copy. There are photographs of some beautiful early reconstructions, and approaching the 1700's many gorgeous antique garments. I was fascinated to see the changing shape of the woman's body as different types of undergarments sucked her in and thrust her out to fit the fashionable silhouette of each time period. It was also intriguing to see the huge changes in menswear, from the elaborately (even femininely) decorated doublets of the Renaissance and Rococo periods, to the ubiquitous three-piece suits of the last three centuries.
I am more interested in historical fashion than current-day trends, so the last 50 or so pages were my least favorite, but overall I'm giving Fashion: The Definitively History of Costume and Style 4.5 stars rounded up to a 5. This one is definitely recommended for anyone interested in the ways we have dressed!
csd17's review against another edition
4.0
Just gorgeous. Why, oh why was I born in the '80s? Being 20 in the 40s/50s would have been fashion heaven.
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