An Illustrated Dictionary Of Historic Costume

Thousands of terms associated with apparel worn in the principal countries of Europe appear in this extensive and convenient reference. Alphabetically arranged, the profusely illustrated volume features over 1,300 detailed line drawings.

Introduction -- Dictionary -- Appendix A: Garment types -- Appendix B: Garment by country -- Appendix C: Garment types by era

- What is an earthquake gown? - Who wore eelskin masher trousers? - What did the word "dudes" mean in the 16th century? A Dictionary of English Costume by C. Willett Cunnington, Phillis Cunnington and Charles Beard was originally published in 1960. A monumental achievement and encyclopaedic in scope, it was a comprehensive catalogue of fashion terms from the mid-medieval period up to 1900. It was reissued and updated several times, for the last time in 1976. For decades it has served as a bible for costume historians. The Dictionary of Fashion History completely updates and supplements the Cunningtons' landmark work to bring it up to the present day. Featuring additional terms and revised definitions, this new edition represents an essential reference for costume historians, students of fashion history, or anyone involved in creating period costume for the theatre, film or television. It also is fascinating reading for those simply interested in the subject. Clear, concise, and meticulous in detail, this essential reference answers countless questions relating to the history of dress and adornment and promises to be a definitive guide for generations to come.

Compendium defines over 10,000 words associated with wearing apparel and fashion. From bateau necklines to trilbys and vamps, words are grouped alphabetically according to dress parts, fabrics, and other style categories. Over 750 illustrations.

Fascinating, fact-filled compendium defines over 10,000 words associated with wearing apparel and fashion. From bateau necklines to trilbys and vamps, individual terms are assembled alphabetically in groups according to dress parts, fabrics, and other style categories. Enhanced with over 750 clearly detailed illustrations, this comprehensive guide will be welcomed by writers, designers, and historians.

This is essentially a guide to items of historical dress in British Museum collections. However since there is more surviving historical costume in this country than anywhere else in the world, it doubles as a dictionary of costume, providing information on where to find a specific garment.

Tracing the evolution of fashion-from the early draped fabrics of ancient times to the catwalk couture of today, Fashion: The Definitive History of Costume and Style is a stunningly illustrated guide to more than three thousand years of shifting trends and innovative developments in the world of clothing. With a wealth of breathtaking spreads-from ancient Egyptian dress to Space Age Fashion and Grunge-and information on icons like Marie Antoinette, Clara Bow, Jacqueline Kennedy, and Alexander McQueen, Fashion will captivate anyone interested in style-whether it's the fashion-mad teen in Tokyo, the wannabe designer in college, or the fashionista intrigued by the violent origins of the stiletto and the birth of bling.

Significantly greater in scope than anything currently available—online or in print—this comprehensive resource includes more than 20,000 fashion and costume terms as well as more than 300 illustrations.