Fashion is ever-changing and while some styles mark a dramatic departure from the past many exhibit subtle differences from year to year that are not always easily identifiable. With overviews of each key period and detailed illustrations for each new style How to Read a Dress is an authoritative visual guide to women's fashion across five centuries. Each entry includes annotated color images of historical garments outlining important features and highlighting how styles have developed over time whether in shape fabric choice trimming or undergarments. Readers will learn how garments were constructed and where their inspiration stemmed from at key points in history - as well as how dresses have varied in type cut detailing and popularity according to the occasion and the class age and social status of the wearer. This lavishly illustrated book is the ideal tool for anyone who has ever wanted to know their cartridge pleats from their Recamier ruffles. Equipping the reader with all the information they need to `read' a dress this is the ultimate guide for students researchers and anyone interested in historical fashion.
Published Date:
01/03/2017
Publisher:
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Format:
Paperback / softback
Dimensions:
189 mm x 246 mm