Thousands of terms associated with apparel worn in the principal countries of Europe appear in this extensive and convenient reference. Alphabetically arranged, the profusely illustrated volume features over 1,300 detailed line drawings.

Compendium defines over 10,000 words associated with wearing apparel and fashion. From bateau necklines to trilbys and vamps, words are grouped alphabetically according to dress parts, fabrics, and other style categories. Over 750 illustrations.

Ranging from the elegant garments worn by citizens of ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome to the dramatic clothing of nineteenth-century French, English, and German societies, this stunning pictorial encyclopedia chronicles the full sweep of historic dress through the centuries. Carefully gathered from a rare portfolio originally published in 1906, over one thousand detailed engravings are presented here in a continuous chronological format. An unparalleled history of costume design, this collection includes the garb of kings and laborers ... ladies and warriors ... peasants and priests. Scores of accessories are also illustrated, including shoes, jewelry, wigs, and hair ornaments, along with furniture, musical instruments, and weaponry from a fascinating array of time periods. Exquisitely rendered and magnificent in scope, the Pictorial Encyclopedia of Historic Costume is a visual delight for designers, artists, historians, and everyone captivated by fashion's timeless allure.

Stephanie Davis has combined her painting and art teaching with research into costumes as depicted through the centuries. Dozens of carefully drawn and detailed illustrations embellish the text and give a visual dimension. She includes lists of couturiers and designers, costume collections and exhibitions of ancient civilisations.--[book cover].

- What is an earthquake gown? - Who wore eelskin masher trousers? - What did the word "dudes" mean in the 16th century? A Dictionary of English Costume by C. Willett Cunnington, Phillis Cunnington and Charles Beard was originally published in 1960. A monumental achievement and encyclopaedic in scope, it was a comprehensive catalogue of fashion terms from the mid-medieval period up to 1900. It was reissued and updated several times, for the last time in 1976. For decades it has served as a bible for costume historians. The Dictionary of Fashion History completely updates and supplements the Cunningtons' landmark work to bring it up to the present day. Featuring additional terms and revised definitions, this new edition represents an essential reference for costume historians, students of fashion history, or anyone involved in creating period costume for the theatre, film or television. It also is fascinating reading for those simply interested in the subject. Clear, concise, and meticulous in detail, this essential reference answers countless questions relating to the history of dress and adornment and promises to be a definitive guide for generations to come.

Introduction -- Dictionary -- Appendix A: Garment types -- Appendix B: Garment by country -- Appendix C: Garment types by era

"Survey of Historic Costume presents a thorough overview and chronology of Western dress from the ancient world to the trends of today"--