Fashionable Clothing from the Sears Catalogs: Late 1950s (A Schiffer Book for Collectors) [Paperback]

Joy Shih (Author)

Book Description

Series: A Schiffer Book for Collectors | Publication Date: November 1997

Meet the book that defined fashion for generations of Americans in the twentieth century-the Sears Catalog. European couture designs were beautiful in fashion magazines but the average person with an average income shopped for clothing in department stores. The Sears Catalog brought household goods and fashionable clothing to everyone, whether they had access to a department store or not. Pictured here is clothing for men, women, and children taken from actual Sears Catalogs from the late 1950s, along with descriptions and original prices. Current values for some items are included as a reference guide for collectors of 1950s vintage clothing. Who can forget slim sheaths and whirly skirts, rolled-up dungarees and pedal pushers, bouffant slips and taffeta prom gowns, fraternity prep jackets and children's western wear? With more than 400 color photographs, this book offers a nostalgic look into fashionable clothing of an era which defined an entire generation.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Schiffer Publishing (November 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764303392
• ISBN-13: 978-0764303395
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 11 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #255,581 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #75 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Antiques & Collectibles > Textiles & Costume

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Schiffer's Late 50's Review, January 4, 2000

By 

Joel Berlin (Los Angeles) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fashionable Clothing from the Sears Catalogs: Late 1950s (A Schiffer Book for Collectors) (Paperback)

Joy Shih and Schiffer Publications have done it again. Fashionable Clothing from the Sears Catalogs: Late 1950's is an excellent Primary resource for Costume and Fashion Designers. I find that the layout and the organization of this book much better than Schiffer's "early 1950's". Unfortunately it only focuses on Sears Catolgues' perspective of this era, which is only middle America, blue collar, suburbia. I give this book for stars for its' use of primary resource, clear division of clothing types, reproduction of true fifties color, and actual cost of garments today and yesterday

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What lovely fashions!, November 8, 2006

By 

Phyllis Herring (Washington, DC USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fashionable Clothing from the Sears Catalogs: Late 1950s (A Schiffer Book for Collectors) (Paperback)

I was born in early 1953 so the late 50's are when I started to become aware of things feminine. I seem to be drawn to this book probably more often than I do with the other books in this series. No, I'm not getting any younger (or slimmer) but a girl can dream. Anyway, this is the typical Schiffer treatment with lots of well chosen designs well reproduced in color. The only thing I could criticize are Ms. Shih's personal asides within the text which, of course, are her opinions and not mine. It's a minor thing, really.

5.0 out of 5 stars Another Enjoyable Fashion Book, October 28, 2009

By 

Shatzi Crabtree (KS) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Fashionable Clothing from the Sears Catalogs: Late 1950s (A Schiffer Book for Collectors) (Paperback)

I have one of these books on 80s style and as usual, this is a great book, showing all the styles from this time period. Anyone into fashion or the 50s will really enjoy this book, with lots of photos.