History of Fashion & Costume Series

A History of Fashion and Costume Set

Published 30 August 2005

A History of Fashion and Costume is an eight-volume set that examines the development of costume and fashion over time, along with the social history that gave rise to it. Introducing readers to the rich world of fashion and dress, this set vividly depicts the changing styles, processes, and trends that led us to the clothing of today. Describing both the practical uses of clothing and the highly impractical clothes that have been used throughout history to convey social status, these volumes provide a compelling look at the effects of fashion and costume on society. Each accessible volume describes the fashions of the time, styles and designs, and the changing use of materials. Beautiful, full-color illustrations and engaging text examine clothing as well as the jewelry, hairstyles, hats, and footwear that accompanied the fashions and made them unique. Special features in each volume include a foreword written by a fashion industry expert as well as a helpful glossary, timeline, and index. Individual volumes cover: hair and make-up worn in ancient Egypt; dressing for war; the symbolic use of fashion accessories; beaver hats and whalebone corsets; New York Society; Spanish and Portuguese colonial costume; costumes for seafaring and traveling; undergarments both in the United States and abroad; France and the Napoleonic style; the royal courts of Spain and Portugal; high performance materials and current styles; and much more.