Customer Reviews

Accessories of Dress: An Illustrated Encyclopedia (Dover Fashion and Costumes)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I was really looking forward to getting this book, but was disappointed. As a Rev War Reenactor I was looking for some really good insights. However, I was disappointed to find that the book was originally printed in 1940 and that many of the resources were previously published books (so read pre-1940!) Current research is much more advanced than it was in 1940! (For those of you who aare like me - remember the English Bodice!)

Dates were very general and any portraits or art were undated.

If you are a generalist, than this book mught be OK, but if you are someone looking to interpret a time period accurately, I'd recommend Linda Baumgarten, Sharon Burnston or Aileen Ribiero instead.

As for me, I'm returning the book!

Katherine Lester and Bess Viola Oerke's Accessories Of Dress first appeared in 1940 and its reprint by Dover allows new audiences to receive an excellent illustrated encyclopedia which sums a number of historical sources to create an account of how men and women have used personal adornment through the ages. Line drawings taken from rare books and magazines blend with photos of original paintings and sculptures and descriptions of wigs, cosmetics, shawls, handbags and more to provide an engaging history recommended for any college-level fashion library.

A fabulous book; If you love accessories and Marie Antoinette, add this to your collection.

Katherine Lester and Bess Viola Oerke's Accessories Of Dress first appeared in 1940 and its reprint by Dover allows new audiences to receive an excellent illustrated encyclopedia which sums a number of historical sources to create an account of how men and women have used personal adornment through the ages. Line drawings taken from rare books and magazines blend with photos of original paintings and sculptures and descriptions of wigs, cosmetics, shawls, handbags and more to provide an engaging history recommended for any college-level fashion library.

A terrific resource for anyone interested in fashion accessories throughout the ages. Wonderful descriptions and illustrations of the various accessories used by both men and women.