Dressed for the Photographer: Ordinary Americans and Fashion, 1840-1900 (Hardcover)

by Joan L. Severa (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review
This history of ordinary American fashion begins in 1840 and ends in 1900, spanning a period of time in which changing economics dictated clothing trends. Letters, diaries, period photos and Severa's own analysis provide in-depth and strong analysis of fashion trends and inconsistencies between class and fashion representation. -- Midwest Book Review

Product Description
A visual analysis of the dress of middle-class Americans from the mid- to late-19th century. Using images and writings, it shows how even economically disadvantaged Americans could wear styles within a year or so of current fashion.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 303 pages
• Publisher: Kent State University Press (March 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0873385128
• ISBN-13: 978-0873385121
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 8.8 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #510,663 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fabulously insightful look into American History, January 28, 1998

By	Angela F. Lazear "Mzscahlett" (Bay Area, California) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Ms. Severa's thoughtful and articulate tour through approximately 60 years of American Fashion reads more like a novel than a fashion textbook, although it is certainly an excellent example of the latter. Her inclusion of a detailed historical preface to each decade studied, provides the reader with a good sense of the times these people lived in, their wants, hopes and backgrounds are all captured and rendered understandable to both the historian and the casual observer.

As a newcomer to the study of dress, I found her ability to recognize and explain subtle details of clothing nuances extraordinary. Many of these were, at first glance barely visible in an aging photograph, but upon her outlining them they became so readily apparent as to cause the reader to wonder why they hadn't seen it sooner! It is a lovely book, either for the professional costumer or historian, or the casual observer who might want a glimpse into the history of those who came before, and the role fashion played throughout the early history of America.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Photographic Treat, April 18, 2002

By A Customer

If you like looking at old photographs with haunting, austere faces staring out from stilled figures in 19th-century garb, this book is worth every penny. The photos in this volume are incredibly evocative and encompass a wide range of people from various walks of life. The photos are nicely presented, with one large picture per page accompanied by an extensive caption that explains the clothing/fashion details reflected in the picture. This is one of those books that I return to again and again because I love what it does to my imagination, in terms of stimulating my ideas regarding both Victorian-era costuming and a way of life that is long since vanished.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent reference on dress, hair, etc to aid dating photos, October 13, 1999

By	Kathleen (McLaughlin) Nolin (Outerbanks of NC, USA) - See all my reviews

In only about fifteen minutes I identified my gggrandmother's photo as belonging to the 1850's era by her dress, hair and collar. Easy to use by comparing photo to those in the book and the descriptions offered in the text. Arranged by decade, this is a truely marvelous reference and well worth the price.