Children's Costume: The Complete Historical Sourcebook [Hardcover]

John Peacock (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0500514887 | ISBN-13: 978-0500514887 | Publication Date: September 16, 2009

The most comprehensive and detailed survey of Western children's historical clothing ever published—an invaluable resource for designers and historians.

John Peacock charts the development of every kind and style of apparel from earliest times to the present day, for both boys and girls. The hundreds of specially drawn illustrations reproduce in meticulous detail a host of examples from every era of children’s clothing: the fringed and tasseled outerwear of Eastern antiquity, medieval tunics and fur-trimmed hats, exquisite seventeenth-century miniature gowns, delicate nineteenth-century printed cotton dresses and slippers, and the denim sportswear of our own time. There are also special pages on children’s caps, hats, bonnets, berets, shoes, and more.

The specially drawn pictures are arranged in six chronological sections and accompanied by full descriptions that include details on fabrics, trimmings, and accessories. An invaluable time chart
summarizes the development of children’s clothes throughout the centuries. 730 color, 315 b&w illustrations

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

John Peacock was Senior Costume Designer for BBC Television for many years. His many books include The Complete Fashion Sourcebook; Costume: 1066 to the Present; The Chronicle of Western Costume; Twentieth-Century Fashion; Fashion Since 1900; Fashion Accessories; Shoes; Men's Fashion; Twentieth-Century Jewelry; and many others.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: Thames & Hudson (September 16, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0500514887
• ISBN-13: 978-0500514887
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 10 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,228,684 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb range of English & American children's fashion, March 15, 2010

By 

G. R. Adams "Discriminate Reader" (Texas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: Children's Costume: The Complete Historical Sourcebook (Hardcover)

This is an excellent and enlightening book for anyone with a curiosity about children's fashion through history. To the casual reader, it is interesting to compare the way styles changed and to reflect gratefully that children have won the right to comfortable and well-fitting togs. Those with a deeper inclination to study will find this book rewarding.

High quality textile representations on simple human figures are accompanied by detailed explanations of the garments. Various patterned fabrics are rendered beautifully in pencil and perhaps watercolor. The artist does a good job with presenting accessories like hats and shoes in a separate section to allow for closer inspection.

I make reproduction fashions for dolls and this book is immensely helpful. I also occasionally create period costumes for children and believe this book will be an indispensable reference in that regard as well. See an example here:
[...]

I gave this book 5 stars for its excellence in communicating clothing styles realistically. Its engagingly organized eras are easy to plumb for as long or as briefly as one desires. There is a brief section at the beginning of ancient cultures for added interest. The centuries prior to 1800 are represented with a plate or two. The time following 1800 is very comprehensive indeed. The visual time-line even leads up to the present time, which in many instances makes for amusing reminiscence. This is a fun book to browse.

It must be said that there is a general detraction artistically in the human figures themselves, as well as the occasional scale issue between "characters", but as the book focuses on the clothing and textiles, this is of minor importance. If anything, it keeps the eye on the play of fabrics and textures. The clothing and accessories are impeccable, and very natural looking.

I do highly recommend the this book and the author's considerable time and talent in researching the subject matter are plain to see in this comprehensive effort. I look forward to companion works.