Fashion in Costume 1200-2000, Revised [Paperback]

Joan Nunn (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 14, 2000

Here is an updated edition of Joan Nunn's detailed survey of costume in the Western world over the past eight centuries. She not only gives the reader a vivid visual impression of the clothes themselves, but also outlines the historical and social background and the changes in manufacturing techniques and fashionable life that have influenced the way costume has developed and the manner in which it has been worn. The book is illustrated throughout with hundreds of line drawings.

Editorial Reviews

Review

A terrific resource. . . . An affordable classic. (Dramatics )

One of the best surveys of costume in the Western world we've seen. What makes this book so valuable is the detail in the more than 800 sketches and the attention given not only to the outerwear but to underwear, hats, footwear, hair styles, accessories, jewelry, fabrics, and colors worn by men, women, and children. This...could easily become the design bible of any costume shop. (Stage Director )

This detailed fashion survey contains a wealth of information...I look forward to using this valuable and much needed updating. (Midwest Book Review )

About the Author

Joan Nunn worked in a couture house, was a designer and teacher at Toynbee Drama School, and taught dress at the West of England College of Art before becoming Costume Supervisor at the Old Vic Theatre. She held the post of Head of the Department of Dress and Textiles at Canterbury College of Art until her retirement. She lives in Canterbury, England.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: New Amsterdam Books; 2 Sub edition (February 14, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 156663279X
• ISBN-13: 978-1566632799
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 6.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #251,387 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #82 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Antiques & Collectibles > Textiles & Costume

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Everything in one book!, May 2, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Fashion in Costume 1200-2000, Revised (Paperback)

This book covers the largest time period in fashion history available today. Although the author limited herself to one book, the amount of information that is packed into this book is absolutely wonderful for anyone interested in costuming. Not only is politcal history covered, trival facts and those who influenced fashion are described in concise detail. Most helpful are the sketches on nearly every other page, which show details of full outfits and variations of certain garments. Diagrams of how to tie men's ties and special period collars are extremely useful. Men, women, children, underwear, shoes, accessories - this book covers it all.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fashion in Costume 1200-2000, September 19, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Fashion in Costume 1200-2000, Revised (Paperback)

Throughout history, clothes have been worn not only for warmth but also, with constant variety and innovation, to convey status, wealth, occupation, personality and social and more values. Joan Nunn's detailed survey of costume in the western world over the past eight centuries not only gives the reader a vivid visual impression of the clothes themselves, but also out lines the historical and social background and the changes in manufacturing techniques the way costume has developed and the manner in which it has been worn. Each of the nine chapters covers a certain period, with an introductory section followed by descriptions of the underwear, outer garments, hats, footwear, hairstyles, accessories, jewelry, fabrics and colours worn by men, women and children. There are over 800 line drawings, specially made by the author from contemporary sources (carvings, paintings, portraits, fashion plates and photographs). This is an invaluable, copiously illustrated reference book for students of costume, social history and the visual arts and for those concerned with designing costumes for the theatre. It is also a fascinating book for general reader interested in fashion and the art of dress.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars pretty good, descriptions of drawings confusing, October 2, 2005

By 

Sara (Western Washington) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fashion in Costume 1200-2000, Revised (Paperback)

While the text and drawings are separately very detailed and fairly descriptive, there is very little correlation between the text and drawings. At times it is unclear as to what kind of dress the author is talking about, making it useful that the picture of the dress should be right next to the text. The short descriptions of the costumes included with the drawings are also difficult to read due to the text they're written in. I also found that the sections for clothes from about 1930-2000 did not really cover the full scope of styles and fashions worn in that period of time.

However, despite these small difficulties, this is a great book, with abundant information and fairly detailed drawings. I've only had the book a week, and it has already been immensely helpful to me. :)