American Costume 1915-1970: A Source Book for the Stage Costumer (Midland Book, Mb 543) (Paperback)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Shirley Miles O'Donnol provides both illustrations and written descriptions of styles worn in everyday life and suggests ways of adapting them to stage use. Her animated and informative text gives an overview of social trends as well as insight into the fashions themselves. Since women's fashions change more frequently and more radically than men's, the chapters follow the eras in women's apparel: "The First World War," "The Flaming Twenties," "The Depressed Thirties," "The Second World War," "The Postwar Era and the 'New Look,'" "The Late Fifties: Dawn of the Space Age," and "The Sixties: Unisex and Miniskirts."

Lavishly illustrated with original drawings by the author, photographs of costumes now in museum collections, and drawings and photographs taken from fashion magazines spanning more than fifty years, American Costume, 1915-1970 is a practical -- and entertaining -- handbook for the stage costumer.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Indiana University Press; 1st Midland Book Ed edition (August 1, 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0253205433
• ISBN-13: 978-0253205438
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #876,646 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars O'Donnol Writes the Ultimate Period Clothing Source Book, March 10, 1999

By	F. Kelly "John Hancock" (Knoxville, TN) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: American Costume, 1915-1970: A Source Book for the Stage Costumer (Hardcover)

I've always been into nice clothes, and several years ago I figured out that nice clothes hit their peak of style and class in the 20s, 30s, and 40s. Ever since then I have searched high and low for a book that had both written descriptions and adequate drawings of the clothes I like to wear. I found that book: "American Costume". The research that has gone into its writing was obviously exhaustive. Not only does the book have sensational drawings depicting the various styles from 1915 to the 70s, it also has extremely detailed descriptions of the styles. Through these thorough descriptions, the reader can not only see what the styles look like, but how they are made, what accessories to wear, and how to style one's hair to period authenticity. It is quite simply an excellent resource book, and and invaluable tool for anyone interested in costumes or clothes.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A systematic reference for modern costume, May 26, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: American Costume, 1915-1970: A Source Book for the Stage Costumer (Hardcover)

I felt that the black and white line drawings were inappropriately "chunky" and a bit misleading about the fashionable silhouette for certain decades. Nonetheless, this book is, as far as I know, the only reference that systematically describes the elements and accessories of 20th century costume, and judging by the decades for which I have personal experience, it is largely accurate. (Note: This review is based upon the 1982 trade paperback edition of this book).

5.0 out of 5 stars Really Great Information for writers, November 8, 2007

By	Lawrence Maturo "Larry" (Austin, Texas United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Though intended for the stage, I got it because a writer needs lots of details to interest the user, and books like this have details you wouldn't necessarily know about any other way.