Customer Reviews

Costume: An Illustrated Survey from Ancient Times to the Twentieth Century

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

 

 

This book is a wonderful resource for the budding writer as well as any history buff. It offers short history lessons into the different time periods and covers, not only the clothing of the different eras, but hair styles, shoes, accessories, and even some of the things used by the working class and servants of each century. I gave it a 4 star rating only because it did not continue through the twentieth century, but stopped at the beginning of the century.

This book is great, especially if you're interested in what people wore not only for everyday life, but for state occaisions too. I enjoyed it immensely! My only complaint was that it didn't have twentieth century garb, but I suppose you can only do so much. I can't imagine how much time it must have taken for all those yummy illustrations, but I certainly appreciate the effort! Now all my characters will be garbed in accordance with the times, and no one can accuse me of anachronisms. **dances** You can bet I'm going to buy them ASAP(well, the school library needs 'em back, don't they?), or maybe only after I'm done memorizing every last scrumptious costume from the hat to the tips of the pointy shoes (my favorite time period is medieval/renaissance, as if you hadn't guessed).

This book is one of the best costume books I've ever seen, and almost essential for RPGers who want their character pics to rock, or for artists who want their sketches accurate. Its got tons of great pictures, definitions, and descriptions of the clothing from as early as Ancient Egypt up to the 19th century! I checked it out from the local library, and its so good that I'm hoping to purchase it myself. Lol, it looks like almost everyone else got it from a library too. Anyways, great reference book.

I have been in love with this book since I first found it in the school library when I was in about the 4th grade. Inspired by the pictures, I drew a complete series of paperdolls. Since then I have checked it in and out of the local public library several times for special projects. The clear line drawings and thorough descriptions make the book ideal for those with an eye towards costuming (or paperdolls). I'm wishlisting it for now, but I think sooner or later this book is going to have to become a part of my personal collection.

I am using this book as my primary reference for a fashion history class, and I am more than grateful that I've found it. There are countless illustrations - all clear and detailed, and each illustration of a garment or accessory comes will an accurate and very thorough description. The terminology they use is defined and discussed extensively.

Each chapter, or century, begins with several paragraph's on men's hair, then women's hair, then it describes headdresses for men and women of that time, and of course goes on to describe garments for men and women as thoroughly as anyone could wish for. It also devotes several paragraphs to shoes, materials, accessories and jewelry when such things are important to a century. There are even a few illustrations of peasants, laborers, soldiers and common people in addition to the varied and exquisite garments worn by the wealthy and that defined an era.