Customer Reviews

Victorian and Edwardian Fashions for Women 1840 to 1919 (A Schiffer Book for Collectors With Value Guide)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is not a good book for the beginning costumer (who is, unfortunately, the intended audience). There are some wonderful clothes pictured--the variety of styles and types of clothing is helpful, as are the close-ups of embroidery and other trim. But, some items (both old photos and clothes) are misdated. While in most cases the error is only by a few years, two pieces are incorrectly dated by a decade or more. As a museum professional, I was also distressed by the wearing of antique clothing while also discussing methods of preservation. Museum associations, The Costume Society of America, and most vintage clothing collectors do NOT endorse wearing original garments. Someone with a solid background in costume history will still find this book a useful addition, but I would not recommend it as the first or only resource.

The author contacted a local theater with a vintage clothing collection, gathered some pretty friends (who look very pleased to be in a book), and photographed them wearing the clothes. The text reads like a summary of any well-known history of costume, complete with familiar quotes from original sources, with the addition of chapter titles like "Whoops for Hoops" (1850s styles). Buy this book if you want to see pictures of vintage clothes, but don't take it too seriously.

Unlike fashion plates, these are authen6ic fashoins shown much as they would show in period photographs.

What makes this book work is that there are full color photos of AUTHENTIC Victorian fashions, with detail shots, shown on actual people. There are also great care and collecting tips, with collectors who want to PRESERVE clothes in mind. Highly recomended

I have spent hours reading and studying this book! The color pictures are wonderful! Most of the dresses are modeled by real people, which really seems to add a lot of interest. There are chapter summaries at the beginning of each chapter. The summaries are a bit limited in information, but the photos more than make up for it! I would highly recommend this book!

The author's goal to present original garments as would be worn on actual persons unfortunately fails. This is due to incorrect undergarments worn -- which therefor does not correctly show how the garment was to fit -- and wasn't this the point of the book according to the author's comments? In many circumstances clothing simply did not fit the wearer (blantent missue for original surviving garments). Garments were draped with the backs obviously left gaping open, or skirts dragging on the ground. It would have been much better to display the garments on well-fitted dress forms (available in museum supply catalogs) with correct support garments if the author was serious about showing fit. Although the photos are "pretty", this certainly does not contain academic information.

Unlike fashion plates, these are authen6ic fashoins shown much as they would show in period photographs.