Men's Seventeenth & Eighteenth Century Costume: Cut and Fashion [Hardcover]

R. I. Davis (Author), William-Alan Landes (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Building on nearly 60 years' experience as the master cutter for Angels Costumes of London, Davis outlines two centuries of men's fashion with patterns and notes on how to build each garment. Following an introduction, chapters detail the Baroque fashion (1630-1700), the three-piece suit (1670-1800), and cutaways and tailcoats (1760-1800). Everyday fashion and military uniforms of the 17th and 18th centuries are also included. Davis offers a detailed study of men's fashions from hats to shoes and everything in between: breeches, capes and cloaks, top coats, waistcoats, and pantaloons. Amply supplied plates, figures, and diagrams support the text. While the scaled patterns were developed as a guide to clothing construction for period costuming, only a skilled seamstress or tailor could use them despite a final chapter sharing tips on measuring and how to make adjustments. A listing of major rulers of the 17th and 18th centuries is included. Recommended for most theater, costume, and fashion collections. Judith Yankielun Lind, Roseland Free P.L., N.J.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 206 pages
• Publisher: Players Pr (December 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0887346375
• ISBN-13: 978-0887346378
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #738,063 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars useful, informative for theatrical costumer, February 7, 2002

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"duchatnoir" (Columbus, Ohio United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Men's Seventeenth & Eighteenth Century Costume: Cut and Fashion (Hardcover)

I was very excited to get this book as there doesn't seem to be much written on period menswear.This is an excellent book for theatrical costumers (the section on pattern sizing is particularly useful). However, the serious student or historic re-creator will be frustrated by the theatrical conventions of some of the patterns...the 18th century breeches come to mind. For these, I would recommend _Costume _Close_Up for graghs of actual 18th century garments. Still, with this caveat, this is one of the books that I have been "hanging out with" lately.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Great for pattern drafting, February 25, 2000

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W. Reece "manxkitty" (Marietta, Georgia United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Men's Seventeenth & Eighteenth Century Costume: Cut and Fashion (Hardcover)

I found this to be a great book for the person who loves to draft patterns. Being a costume/fashion design student and an excellent pattern drafter, the books instructions are very easy to follow and understand. Although it gives somes tips on contstruction in certain areas of the garment, I wish books of this nature would offer more construction information.