Fashion 101: A Crash Course in Clothing [Paperback]

Erika Stalder (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2008

Each year, we spend hours upon hours shopping and getting dressed, but do we ever actually think about what we’re wearing? For example, what’s the name of the style of your shirt? Who invented your favorite jeans cut? Or who made your baby-doll nightie famous? There is a story behind every piece of clothing and, with Fashion 101, you’ll learn what those stories are and more: Where did the miniskirt come from? Why has the military had a stronger influence on fashion than either Audrey Hepburn or Gwen Stefani? How do denim makers work those perfect "whiskers" into your "worn-out" jeans?

Filled with tons of intriguing factoids about designers and celebrities, and more than 300 illustrations, Fashion 101 offers the total scoop on underwear, outerwear, accessories, and everything in between. With this crash course, you’ll learn not only how to put together smarter looks, but also how to become a fashion expert in the process.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Adult/High School—Recognizing fashion styles and trends is one thing; putting them together in new and interesting ways is an altogether different animal. This handy guide helps with both the recognition of fashion dos and don'ts as well as with the development of new—and true—personal styles. It is part history, part fashion adviser, part shopping manual, and all fun. Each item of female clothing, from dresses to accessories to pants to underwear, is covered, with great black-and-white and color illustrations. Sections for each garment include what it looks like, the designer who first introduced it, celebrities who made it hot, and how it can be worn today. Who would have thought that parachute pants could be made rockin'? This would make a good addition to browsing collections, especially in larger libraries and those that have an abundance of fashion-forward or aspiring-designer teens.—Charli Osborne, Oxford Public Library, MI
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

How does a midiskirt differ from a pencil skirt? What’s the history of hot pants? Presented in a spacious format and the language of a fashion magazine, this breezy, informative overview of women’s clothing and accessories will illuminate even seasoned fashionistas. Divided into apparel categories, from underwear to overcoats, the chapters introduce archetypal styles (e.g., sailor pants and skinny jeans) with clear line drawings, background history about each style (“Who Made It”), the cultural icons who popularized it (“Who Made It Hot”), and tips for making outfits (“How to Rock It”). The up-to-the-minute fashion sensibility and casual language may date quickly, but any teen interested in clothing will devour this compendium of quick historical facts and practical advice, such as “the key to rocking parachute pants is not looking like you’ve just woken up from a generational slumber.” A sure bet for reluctant readers. Grades 9-12. --Gillian Engberg

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Zest Books (May 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0979017343
• ISBN-13: 978-0979017346
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 7.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #30,119 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Erika Stalder writes the Dear Erika advice column for ABC Family's The Secret Life of The American Teen website. She has authored and co-authored four nonfiction books for young adults on everything from dating to fashion to car smarts. Erika has contributed to Wired, Missbehave, Planet, and The Journal of Life Sciences, and worked with the International Museum of Women to produce the Imagining Ourselves anthology.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is Great, July 2, 2008

By 

Patrick L. Schmitz (San Francisco, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Fashion 101: A Crash Course in Clothing (Paperback)

This book is a great blend of history, factoids and advice, covering a wide spectrum of fashion from the go-go boot to the corset.
I have never discovered anything like this before and would deffinately recommend it to anyone interested in fashion, whether it is a fashion student or someone trying to improve the contents of their own closet.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Great For Children, November 2, 2010

By 

Cole Lukic "Momfour" (Lisle, IL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Fashion 101: A Crash Course in Clothing (Paperback)

I bought this thinking it would be great reference in my alteration/custom sewing business, thinking it would give me re-design inspiration. I was disapointed, it is mainly a reference guide with the origin of clothing pieces (pencil skirt, capris, ect...)..Great for middle or high school children.....Gave it to my daughter!

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars fashionistas alert, July 17, 2008

By 

Yee Ying Chau Mah - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Fashion 101: A Crash Course in Clothing (Paperback)

Fashion 101, is a must read for any person who wants to pursue a career in fashion, is really into fashion or is just dying to know how fashion trends were made, who made it hot and how to wear it. This book gives you a detailed idea of every fashion item from a jumper dress to espadrilles (a cross between a sandal and a wedge). It tells you when it was created, how people wore it, and how to rock it well. I absolutely loved this book, because there are so many items that I never knew about, for example, the peacoat originated from sailors as part of their costume. As well, I always thought skinny jeans was a very new trend, but it actually was rocked by the Ramones and the Beatles back in the 1960's. Fashion 101 goes in depth about every fashion trent and item and the history about it. There are so many clothes that I didnt even know about!