The History of Underclothes (Paperback)

~ (Author), PhiIlis Cunnington (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Fascinating survey of various undergarments worn by the English over six centuries. Well-documented, scholarly presentation enhanced with over 100 period illustrations depicting laced-up bodice of the 12th century, embroidered linen drawers (1500s), hooped petticoat support (c. 1750), footed long drawers (1795), 19th-century bustles, early 19th-century corsets for men, Victorian "bust improvers," much more.

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Dover Publications (May 26, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0486271242
• ISBN-13: 978-0486271248
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #197,672 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good illustrations, October 16, 2000

By	Jesse Petersen "jessepet" (Illinois) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Illustrations and pictures, combined with detailed description, make this book a good resource for any historian or writer. My only complaint is that the book covers such a long period of history (early 1300s to 1939). When so many years are covered, it's hard to have perfect accuracy and not rely on gross generalization. If you want to read about a very specific period, this probably isn't the book for you, but if you are looking for generalization, it's a great resource!

I liked it and would recommend it.!

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Unmentionables finally mentioned!!, May 20, 2001

By	"celia-aromancereviewer" (Lexington, MA United States) - See all my reviews

An interesting treatise on an interesting topic - underclothes. As a writer of historical romances, I need to know what is under the heroine's clothes, should the hero get around to removing them. This book has helped in my search for answers to that important question. The illustrations are excellent and it is quite fascinating to realize how much we do (and don't) know about what our ancestors wore and why. However, this book does seem to spend a lot of time on men's underwear (yes it's important, but not as much as the ladies'), and also covers such a large time period that inevitably some discussions are very brief (no pun intended). This book will become part of my reference library - not a stand-alone source, but complementary to my other volumes on clothing.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Incredible authority on English fashion history does undies, May 20, 1999

By	"dava_ellinger" (Vallejo, CA United States) - See all my reviews

unfortunately this is the only book by C. Willett and Phillis Cunnington easily available in America. This book is a terrrific and cheap resource for those interested in an aspect of historical costume often ignored. It doesn't include construction methods, but it is otherwise a perfect resource for the professional or reenactment costumer. It covers the Middle Ages through 1939 with black and white photos of garments and illustrations from primary sources.