Customer Reviews

From Rags to Riches: A History of Girls' Clothing in America

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This is the fourth book by Leslie Sills, a Boston area artist and art teacher. Her books are about women artists (painters, sculptors, photographers,to name a few) and are intended for middle school aged children. As a parent of an 11 year old son and a 14 year old daughter, I own and have read all four books and enjoyed them greatly. I have given many as gifts to kids, teachers and parents. From Rags to Riches is gourgeously designed, thoughtfully written and thoroughly researched. It is full of fascinating photographs and history; Leslie Sill's most recent book reflects an understanding of the complex social, economic and cultural factors that influence fashion, art and asthetics.

FROM RAGS TO RICHES is a nonfiction guide to the history of girl's fashion from Colonial times (1600's) to present day. Attractive layout and generous use of both colored and black and white photographs and illustrations, add readability to the well-researched text. Arranged chronologically, FROM RAGS TO RICHES consists of twelve chapters ranging from two to four pages in length. For example, "Bustles and Ruffles: Stylish Girls of the Late Nineteenth Century" is three pages in length and contains seven illustrations (both photographs and sketches). In addition to illustrations, FROM RAGS TO RICHES contains sidebars for many (if not all) of its chapters. Italicized words in the text are words defined in the glossary. Bustle for example is defined as "a cotton pad mounted on a steel or cane frame, then attached by hooks or laces to a waistband under a skirt." Bibliography and webography are included as are listings of museum and organizations.

This has been the first book of Leslie's I have read and I love it. Once I got it, I ran straight home to read it. I always saw previews when I went over her house for art class, but never gotten to read the thoughtful writing that's in it. The book is about girl's clothing from the early 1600's to the present. Me being a girl of 14 and having a passion for fashion, the book really gave me a history point of view of clothing that I would never get anywhere else! So please get the book, read it and be inspired becuase once you've finished, you'll never be able to wear the same clothes.

I plan to use this book in a language arts class as a resource. This will be a great way for the students to picture the clothing being described in readings for greater understanding. When the novel we are reading describes a character wearing a "shift", then the students can see what is being described.

I really enjoyed this book, and I even learned a few things too! I like the simple and colorful layout; every page was inviting you to not put the book down and keep reading. You never felt like you were being given a lesson but the information is very educational. Ladies of any age interested in fashion or women's history should definitely check out this book!

From Rags to Riches is an enormously entertaining and absorbing study of the history of girls' clothing from early Colonial America to today. Lavish illustrations include European and American paintings, drawings and an outstanding collection of photographs that are sometimes startling in their ability to reveal attitudes and emotions. A picture of five child mill workers is especially touching.

Changing fashions mirror the conditions of women's lives. The fact that this new freedom in clothing choices was sometimes at the expense of other women's lives in that clothing's manufacture is explained in an outstanding section outlining the horrors of sweatshops, the Triangle Shirtwaist fire and the struggle to unionize workers.

Readers are also empowered by links to organizations that aim to prevent such horrors now and in the future. An extensive glossary, bibliography, webography, and list of museums all contribute to make this absolutely one of the most eye-opening books on the subject for children and adults.

If fashion history is one of your passions, From Rags to Riches by Leslie Sills is a must for your book shelf.