Costume Language: A Dictionary of Dress Terms [Paperback]

Stephanie Curtis Davies (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Drama Pub (June 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 089676138X
• ISBN-13: 978-0896761384
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 7.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 1.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,898,444 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars really comprehensive dictionary for fashion history buffs, March 21, 2000

By 

allison taylor (orange county, california) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Costume Language: A Dictionary of Dress Terms (Paperback)

Sprinkled with b/w illustrations, this dictionary has got definitions for all kinds of fashion terms. If you are a fashion buff or professional designer, this will make a great addition to the home library to fill in the gaps left by all the other great volumes, especially those that sacrifice some text to maximize the photos. Influential couteriers, footwear, textile types, armor, sleeve shapes, outerwear, gloves, jewelry, dye origins, military accessories, fashion pioneers, ethnic garments, special occasion accessories, mourning attire, hats and gloves, geographical sources for new weaves, evolution of the crinoline, and collar shapes of the ages are all covered. No pronunciations, but each definition does indicate the country/region of origin, masuline/feminine gender and the era in which it became common. Sadly, the compiler died after completing the text but before inserting all the illustrations she had intended to include. Had she lived to round out her project, it would have rivaled Boucher for completeness. This is not a light read, even so. A few explanations of origin are the only quasi-conversational items. The bulk of the book is pure information, with abbreviated sentences and just enough adjectives. A 2-page list of related readings and a helpful 3-page internation listing of museums with costume collections append the definitions. Not the first book to purchase for your fashion history library shelf, but a very good supplement to the photographical records.