"The new 35 volume "Clothing of Common People in Elizabethan and Early Stuart England (1558-1660)" series is by far the most detailed and all embracing study of the costume of the normal people of England so far undertaken for the period of Elizabeth, Shakespeare and the English Civil War. It draws on the study of surviving garments, paintings, plasterwork, over 18,000 wills and inventories and over 71,000 pre-1660 books and pamphlets. It rigorously examines and justifies whether the original evidence is trustworthy before moving on to analyse the nature of the clothes and how to construct replicas"--Publisher's website.

This unique four-volume encyclopedia examines the historical significance of fashion trends, revealing the social and cultural connections of clothing from the precolonial times to the present day. This sweeping overview of fashion and apparel covers several centuries of American history as seen through the lens of the clothes we wear—from the Native American moccasin to Manolo Blahnik's contribution to stiletto heels. Through four detailed volumes, this work delves into what people wore in various periods in our country's past and why—from hand-crafted family garments in the 1600s, to the rough clothing of slaves, to the sophisticated textile designs of the 21st century. More than 100 fashion experts and clothing historians pay tribute to the most notable garments, accessories, and people comprising design and fashion. The four volumes contain more than 800 alphabetical entries, with each volume representing a different era. Content includes fascinating information such as that beginning in 1619 through 1654, every man in Virginia was required to plant a number of mulberry trees to support the silk industry in England; what is known about the clothing of enslaved African Americans; and that there were regulations placed on clothing design during World War II. The set also includes color inserts that better communicate the visual impact of clothing and fashion across eras.