Customer Reviews

Fifty Dresses That Changed the World

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If there is a stereotype of a fashion-conscious woman, I'm its direct opposite. I work at home, so there's no reason for me to dress up -- or to get dressed at all, really. My usual outfit is a polo shirt and jeans. Nonetheless when I saw this book on a library shelf I grabbed it, because it is simply fun to look at.

The 50 dresses in this collection (from the London-based Design Museum) are intended to be representative of dresses that changed the world... or, at least, the *fashion* world. They're all from the last century, and two thirds are from the 60s until now. Each dress has two photos and several paragraphs of explanatory text, giving the reader a context for the outfit and explaining why it was so important. There are two types of dresses shown: dresses worn by a prominent woman whose fashion sense made a difference, and designer dresses that impacted the way ordinary women dressed or otherwise had an impact.

In the former category is the obvious choice of the Jackie Kennedy look, and also Queen Elizabeth's coronation gown. My favorite of these is the Wallis Simpson wedding dress, which immediately caused women everywhere to want copies; I don't blame them, as it's very attractive. And as the book points out, "[Designer] Mainbocher's gown achieved that most difficult of sartorial feats -- the marriage of restraint and glamour."

The designer dresses with an impact include the Midi dress, the "moon girl collection" dress, and Christian Dior' 1947 "New Look" dress.

Some of these dresses are unquestionably classics that affected how women dress and reflected (or contributed to) a societal change. Chanel's suit *did* define how, as the text put it, "no-nonsense but chic businesswear for women for decades," and the miniskirt was part of a new fashion freedom. However, some of the choices make me wonder if it's possible to say the dress "changed the world;" can you say that about Alexander McQueen's Samurai dress from 2001? Really?

Nonetheless: It's fun to look at the pictures, which is why I took the book out of the library. I'm enjoying the hour-or-two it's taking me to flip through its pages... as I'm dressed in an old ratty sweatshirt. Serious fashionistas may see this book with different eyes, but I think it's a great fantasy read.

Sure, the dresses are nice enough. But couldn't the publisher afford an editor? Like so many UK-published fashion books I've seen, there are SO many typos and the writing is dismal. A chore to read. Yes, I'm aware of spelling and phrasing differences across the pond. That is not the problem here. It became so annoying, I had to send the book back. I figured if they hadn't cared enough to proofread, I didn't care enough to buy it.

I gave this book as Christmas gift to a designer friend who seemed to be delighted with it.
At dinner my two other female guests, a scientist and a cleric, were equally enamored when they leafed through the book.
Personally I felt that the book was skewed too heavily to the very recent past and that that the historical impact of most of the dresses pictured is minimal at best. Perhaps a change of title would be in order as the content of the book seems to be fascinating.

Go ahead--judge this book by its cover. The color, the font, the title, the simplicity, the Breakfast at Tiffany's wonderment of it all.

I mean, stick Katherine Hepburn in a tiara on a striking mustard background and who wouldn't judge?

This book is delicious. It beautifully outlines 50 dresses that made a "substantial impact in the world of design." And it does this well. The people at Design Museum know their stuff and you are bound to learn a thing or two (unless maybe you're a costume historian or professional Dressologist).

We're not talking universe-altering-atom-splitting-rocket-curing-hunger-world-peacifying stuff, we're talking dresses.

But they are amazing dresses that created long-standing trends in women's fashion. The FFF (Fifty Fabulous Frocks) reflected the politics of the day and put designers on the map. You will likely guess a couple of the creations that make the cut, but you may also be surprised by others. I think Betsey Johnson is notably and unforgivably absent, but nobody asked me...

Design Museum gives a short explanations for each selection. But it's a somewhat text-booky read. I wish they would've hired a writer to zip up the copy to suit the beauty of the dresses and the photos. But all is forgiven, Design Museum.

Go forth, if you love fashion, art, design, style, picture books, or mini coffee table books, it's a very pretty read. It's worth spending the money if in the industry or a hobbyist. Otherwise, a quick flip through will do the job nicely.

Love that the book covers "styles" not so much specific dresses!

perfect for leaving on the coffee table! Great buy for the cheap price

Great fun book if you like fashion. Very interesting to see which dresses have been chosen.