Costume in detail: Women's dress, 1730-1930

by Nancy Bradfield

Costume in Women's Dress, 1730-1930

Genres: Fashion, Nonfiction, Sewing, Reference, History, Fashion History, Historical

400 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1968

Reviews

[Alessandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Costume in Detail: Women's Dress 1730-1930, by Nancy Bradfield, is a unique, detailed, highly useful collection of drawings of historic clothing, almost entirely women's, drawn from specimens in British collections.

These dresses are often too fragile to exhibit, or even photograph clearly, but Ms. Bradfield has closely, carefully studied them in person and has produced excellent, clear drawings of them, inside and out, showing details of construction and pattern, as well as supplemental material and accessories.

Many of the dresses in this book are famous in their own way, in the collections of England. Because of that, this book is an excellent companion to Janet Arnold's books, in which many of the same dresses have carefully charted dress patterns. Between the patterns in Arnold's books and the detailed drawings of the finished garments in this book, accurate reproductions can be made.

(I am on record as saying that author-drawn costume histories are rubbish. And so they are. Authors who wish to draw pretty mannequins in historique dress and their own interpretations of old artworks always get them wrong. This book is something else entirely, original drawings, not copies of somebody else's.)

[Margie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful line drawings of gowns, with an extraordinary level of attention to detail. Detailed drawings show placements and lengths of seams.

The handwriting is a bit difficult to read, but I highly recommend the book.

[Velvetink · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have the hardcover edition.

[Kathryn Baron · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's drawings, not photographs BUT the drawings are of real articles of clothing and have extensive notes on construction, dimensions, and all sorts of useful information. Also there is not just one view, but many - including interior. Front, back, sideways, underpinnings

Great resource. Have used in constructing at least two outfits.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic resource!

[August Waters · Rating 3 out of 5]

incredibly depressing because how did fashion get so boring and also having to witness fashion before 1842 is pure torture for the eyes

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting a beautifully illustrated book.

[Jennifer Payne Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book captured my imagination when I was in elementary school and was a strong influence in my interest in costume and clothing history. My only wish is that I could better interpret Bradfield's drawings into actual clothing design; several artisans have been able to recreate these exquisite dresses in real life. What talent. For the rest of us mere mortals, we must be satisfied drinking in the details of dress linings, ribbon trim, and the often poignant histories associated with the original owners of these clothes.

[Libby Koponen]

Shows exactly what clothes -- including underclothes -- characters in Jane Austen wore, with charming, detailed line drawings and notes. There is very little text.

It's true that I bought this book to research a novel, but it's more fun than many books I bought just to read. And the drawing are so detailed that good sewers could even make the clothes -- I'd love to celebrate the sale of my novel by giving a ball and wearing a dress from it!

[Rachel L. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fascinating collection; it's interesting to follow the fashions through history. Full of delightful sketches and descriptions of period pieces of clothing and accessories. I read the section pertaining to the era that I re-enact (1730-1800). I might come back to the rest sometime, but for now that's enough. :)

[Saleris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice book. Very nice book. The drawings are consistent in style. I like dressmaking/tailoring and this will come in use when looking at commercial "vintage" patterns to see if it's "in the style of". I also like it to see couture work as seen by someone else.

[Simone Vd stadt beaney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great detail in this book and it's great to see what is hidden underneath the elaborate dress of that age. Also comes with information on what types if fabric and colour were used. Great reference book.

[Andromeda · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great reference material on the construction and wear of women's garments from this time.

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh, if it only had patterns too!