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Women's Lives and Clothes in WW2: Ready for Action
What would you wear to war?
How would you dress for a winter mission in the open cockpit of a Russian bomber plane? At a fashion show in Occupied Paris? Singing in Harlem, or on fire watch in Tokyo..?
Women's Lives and Clothes in WW2 is a unique, illustrated insight into the experiences of women worldwide during World War Two and its aftermath. The history of ten tumultuous years is reflected in clothes, fashion, accessories and uniforms. As housewives, fighters, fashion designers or spies, women dressed the part when they took up their wartime roles.
Attractive to a general reader as well as interesting to a specialist, Women's Lives and Clothes in WW2 focuses on the experiences of British women, then expands to encompass every continent affected by war. Woven through all cultures and countries are common threads of service, survival, resistance and emotion. Historian Lucy Adlington draws on interviews with wartime women, as well as her own archives and costume collection. Well-known names and famous exploits are featured...and many never-before-told stories of quiet heroism.
You'll indulge in luxury fashion, bridal ensembles and enticing lingerie, as well as thrifty make-do-and-mend. You'll learn which essential garments to wear when enduring a bomb raid...and how a few scraps of clothing will keep you feeling human in a concentration camp.
Women's Lives and Clothes in WW2 is richly illustrated throughout, with many previously unpublished photographs, 1940s costumes and fabulous fashion images.
History has never been better dressed.
How would you dress for a winter mission in the open cockpit of a Russian bomber plane? At a fashion show in Occupied Paris? Singing in Harlem, or on fire watch in Tokyo..?
Women's Lives and Clothes in WW2 is a unique, illustrated insight into the experiences of women worldwide during World War Two and its aftermath. The history of ten tumultuous years is reflected in clothes, fashion, accessories and uniforms. As housewives, fighters, fashion designers or spies, women dressed the part when they took up their wartime roles.
Attractive to a general reader as well as interesting to a specialist, Women's Lives and Clothes in WW2 focuses on the experiences of British women, then expands to encompass every continent affected by war. Woven through all cultures and countries are common threads of service, survival, resistance and emotion. Historian Lucy Adlington draws on interviews with wartime women, as well as her own archives and costume collection. Well-known names and famous exploits are featured...and many never-before-told stories of quiet heroism.
You'll indulge in luxury fashion, bridal ensembles and enticing lingerie, as well as thrifty make-do-and-mend. You'll learn which essential garments to wear when enduring a bomb raid...and how a few scraps of clothing will keep you feeling human in a concentration camp.
Women's Lives and Clothes in WW2 is richly illustrated throughout, with many previously unpublished photographs, 1940s costumes and fabulous fashion images.
History has never been better dressed.
296 pages, Hardcover
Published February 8, 2020
24 people are currently reading
228 people want to read
About the author
Lucy Adlington
13 books426 followersI am fascinated by the stories clothes can tell about the people who made, sold and wore them.
My latest non-fiction book is 'The Dressmakers of Auschwitz', revealing the lives and fates of a remarkable group of mainly Jewish women who sewed to survive in a fashion salon established by the camp commandant's wife. It has been a privilege to bring these stories into the light.
'Women's Lives & Clothes in WW2' is a global overview of the 1940s, drawing on interviews with veterans and items from my vintage collection.
History is also the inspiration for my YA novels, including 'The Red Ribbon', 'Sunmerland', 'The Burning Mountain' and 'The Glittering Eye'
In between all this writing I give presentations on costume history - such a fabulous job: www.historywardrobe.com @historywardrobe
I love switching off with crime thrillers (Lee Child, Agatha Christie...) or with biographies
My latest non-fiction book is 'The Dressmakers of Auschwitz', revealing the lives and fates of a remarkable group of mainly Jewish women who sewed to survive in a fashion salon established by the camp commandant's wife. It has been a privilege to bring these stories into the light.
'Women's Lives & Clothes in WW2' is a global overview of the 1940s, drawing on interviews with veterans and items from my vintage collection.
History is also the inspiration for my YA novels, including 'The Red Ribbon', 'Sunmerland', 'The Burning Mountain' and 'The Glittering Eye'
In between all this writing I give presentations on costume history - such a fabulous job: www.historywardrobe.com @historywardrobe
I love switching off with crime thrillers (Lee Child, Agatha Christie...) or with biographies
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
September 3, 2019
"Women experienced perilous daily realities of war. They were also remarkably active participants at almost every level...They experience high fashion and hard labour, motherhood and military service." " 'Material culture' means looking at people's lives through clothes, sewing and textiles..." The lives of women during the Second World War are explored and their tireless wartime contributions are noted.
Women volunteers arguably felt validated with the introduction of "formal' uniforms. The Women's Voluntary Services(WVS) uniform was a grey-green. The uniform had no rank badges; all women were on an equal footing. Each volunteer had to purchase her uniform using her own ration coupons. The WVS coordinated a national system of clothing depots to "reclothe" refugees and those "starting over". The Farmerette Brigade and The Women's Land Army were set up to free men to fight by having women work the land. Each service had its own uniform creating a sense of identity.
Women actively participated in Aviation, Maritime, as well as Code Breaking endeavors. Two thirds of the 10,000 staffers at Bletchley Park were women. These women were tight lipped since "Loose Lips Sink Ships", stated an advert discouraging "indiscreet conversations".
Wartime government policy "encouraged 'make do and mend'...almost everything was to be well-used, reused or repurposed...slippers made from old felt hats...bedspreads became dresses...". "...operators in the black market traded illegally in clothing coupons...Market traders sometimes accepted margarine coupons in exchange for fabric."
"Women's Lives and Clothes in WW2: ready for Action" by Lucy Adlington expansively details the lives of military and civilian women during World War II. Author Adlington presents a multitude of photos, posters and slogans documenting the wartime lives of women from many different countries. The British, Dutch and French flags are red,white and blue. "In occupied Holland, a Dutch woman showed her defiance by hanging her wash...she always had three garments pegged next to each other, one red, one white, one blue. Flying the actual flag was strictly forbidden...small acts of defiance concerning clothes..." Thank you Lucy Adlington for a very informative read based upon your vast knowledge of the "wartime woman".
Thank you Pen & Sword History and Net Galley for the opportunity to read and review "Women's Lives and Clothes in WW2: Ready for Action".
Women volunteers arguably felt validated with the introduction of "formal' uniforms. The Women's Voluntary Services(WVS) uniform was a grey-green. The uniform had no rank badges; all women were on an equal footing. Each volunteer had to purchase her uniform using her own ration coupons. The WVS coordinated a national system of clothing depots to "reclothe" refugees and those "starting over". The Farmerette Brigade and The Women's Land Army were set up to free men to fight by having women work the land. Each service had its own uniform creating a sense of identity.
Women actively participated in Aviation, Maritime, as well as Code Breaking endeavors. Two thirds of the 10,000 staffers at Bletchley Park were women. These women were tight lipped since "Loose Lips Sink Ships", stated an advert discouraging "indiscreet conversations".
Wartime government policy "encouraged 'make do and mend'...almost everything was to be well-used, reused or repurposed...slippers made from old felt hats...bedspreads became dresses...". "...operators in the black market traded illegally in clothing coupons...Market traders sometimes accepted margarine coupons in exchange for fabric."
"Women's Lives and Clothes in WW2: ready for Action" by Lucy Adlington expansively details the lives of military and civilian women during World War II. Author Adlington presents a multitude of photos, posters and slogans documenting the wartime lives of women from many different countries. The British, Dutch and French flags are red,white and blue. "In occupied Holland, a Dutch woman showed her defiance by hanging her wash...she always had three garments pegged next to each other, one red, one white, one blue. Flying the actual flag was strictly forbidden...small acts of defiance concerning clothes..." Thank you Lucy Adlington for a very informative read based upon your vast knowledge of the "wartime woman".
Thank you Pen & Sword History and Net Galley for the opportunity to read and review "Women's Lives and Clothes in WW2: Ready for Action".
September 3, 2019
ORIGINAL BUT MESSY
So many books have been written about WWII, as well as many books about women during the war. But, as far as I am concerned, not many books have been written about the different aspects of women's lives during the war with special attention to their clothing. That made for an interesting take on WWII non-fiction.
THE THINGS I LIKED
Originality: Like written earlier, it was interesting to read about 'mundane' stuff like fabric scarcity, gender norms and responsibility. With WWII we are used to reading about the male side of things. And usually, when female stories are told, they are the extraordinary ones like the Soviet snipers or the German pilots. But here, we get the story of the everyday women, a just as important story to tell as the rest.
Quote: Quotes from different women or women's magazines are peppered throughout the entire book, giving it a sense of authenticity.
THE THINGS I DISLIKED
Photos: I have three problems with the photos in this book
The first two problems actually cause quite a lot of troubles while reading this book. Often the text is fractured and divided mid-sentence by several pages of only pictures, making the reading experience fragmented and hard to get into. It disturbs the entire flow of the book.
The last problem is more a personal taste matter. The author has a big collection of vintage clothes from the 40's and the book features several pictures of these clothes, many of them worn by 'modern' models. To me, that felt completely off. This is a history book. Yes, the clothing is historical, but the pictures and the people are not. I was far more attracted to the authentic wartime photos than the modern ones.
ARC provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
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So many books have been written about WWII, as well as many books about women during the war. But, as far as I am concerned, not many books have been written about the different aspects of women's lives during the war with special attention to their clothing. That made for an interesting take on WWII non-fiction.
"Women were to have needles and cradles, not guns and hand grenades."
THE THINGS I LIKED
Originality: Like written earlier, it was interesting to read about 'mundane' stuff like fabric scarcity, gender norms and responsibility. With WWII we are used to reading about the male side of things. And usually, when female stories are told, they are the extraordinary ones like the Soviet snipers or the German pilots. But here, we get the story of the everyday women, a just as important story to tell as the rest.
Quote: Quotes from different women or women's magazines are peppered throughout the entire book, giving it a sense of authenticity.
THE THINGS I DISLIKED
Photos: I have three problems with the photos in this book
1. Too many photos
2. The photo placement
3. Modern photos
The first two problems actually cause quite a lot of troubles while reading this book. Often the text is fractured and divided mid-sentence by several pages of only pictures, making the reading experience fragmented and hard to get into. It disturbs the entire flow of the book.
The last problem is more a personal taste matter. The author has a big collection of vintage clothes from the 40's and the book features several pictures of these clothes, many of them worn by 'modern' models. To me, that felt completely off. This is a history book. Yes, the clothing is historical, but the pictures and the people are not. I was far more attracted to the authentic wartime photos than the modern ones.
ARC provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
Follow me for more book goodness: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
October 5, 2019
An unusual approach to WW2 seen through the lives of Women and the part that clothing played in their identity and role in the war years.
Well researched and cleverly produced with a wide-ranging text covering every aspect imaginable. I found each chapter interesting, with the range of quotes and references well recorded in a comprehensively indexed note. The bibliography shows the range of research in this project by Lucy Adlington.
She writes: “Traditional female roles of hospitality and nurture were expanded during war to encompass caring for evacuees, refugees and fugitives.”
This sub plot is often returned to in this fine piece and well expanded upon as is the changing perception of the roles of women. The unique aspect of the writing is the returning theme of fashion and the practicality of clothing in a time of shortage and make do and mend.
This book will delight a female audience in my opinion as it ground-breaking in my reading regarding answering the question what did you do in the war Grandma? Hopefully, male readers will gain like me a deeper sense of wonder about who won the war; short of taking up arms, the Soviets aside the role of women in general was never single focused or a simple homemaker, mother figure.
I learned so much across the various aspects here. It has a world view regarding all nations involved in what was a literal world war. The social changes and the political theories that still imposed dogma over woman who were marginalised, ignored and disenfranchised over their own contribution and role.
Let alone the obvious prejudice towards those of race like the Nazi views against Jews but equally seen across the free world with black Americans.
There is plenty of hope in the text where women made practical interventions beyond colour, race, caste and class. I loved the time spent acknowledging the compassion, interventions and care women gave in times of danger, fear against denouncement, imprisonment and execution.
“Parenting is a demanding job at the best of times, made so much worse by war. Whilst absent Fathers might have missed their children and worried about their welfare in the 1940’s, the Mother was left to draw on all resources to protect, clothe and nourish her young ones, often in the face of terrible adversity.”
It is this dimension to this book, through the bright and intelligent writing with anecdotes and many unique photographs and images that makes this a special publication. It will please and appeal naturally to women, but all readers will marvel at the way Lucy brings history alive and brings issues up to date.
Well researched and cleverly produced with a wide-ranging text covering every aspect imaginable. I found each chapter interesting, with the range of quotes and references well recorded in a comprehensively indexed note. The bibliography shows the range of research in this project by Lucy Adlington.
She writes: “Traditional female roles of hospitality and nurture were expanded during war to encompass caring for evacuees, refugees and fugitives.”
This sub plot is often returned to in this fine piece and well expanded upon as is the changing perception of the roles of women. The unique aspect of the writing is the returning theme of fashion and the practicality of clothing in a time of shortage and make do and mend.
This book will delight a female audience in my opinion as it ground-breaking in my reading regarding answering the question what did you do in the war Grandma? Hopefully, male readers will gain like me a deeper sense of wonder about who won the war; short of taking up arms, the Soviets aside the role of women in general was never single focused or a simple homemaker, mother figure.
I learned so much across the various aspects here. It has a world view regarding all nations involved in what was a literal world war. The social changes and the political theories that still imposed dogma over woman who were marginalised, ignored and disenfranchised over their own contribution and role.
Let alone the obvious prejudice towards those of race like the Nazi views against Jews but equally seen across the free world with black Americans.
There is plenty of hope in the text where women made practical interventions beyond colour, race, caste and class. I loved the time spent acknowledging the compassion, interventions and care women gave in times of danger, fear against denouncement, imprisonment and execution.
“Parenting is a demanding job at the best of times, made so much worse by war. Whilst absent Fathers might have missed their children and worried about their welfare in the 1940’s, the Mother was left to draw on all resources to protect, clothe and nourish her young ones, often in the face of terrible adversity.”
It is this dimension to this book, through the bright and intelligent writing with anecdotes and many unique photographs and images that makes this a special publication. It will please and appeal naturally to women, but all readers will marvel at the way Lucy brings history alive and brings issues up to date.
August 23, 2019
Well researched and fascinating overview on the topic of what women wore during ww2.
Covering topics such as rationing and the coupon numbers decreasing. People wee just trying to survive this hard time. There are photos and illustrations sewing patterns and advertisements from the time. Very interesting and informative book.
Pub Date: 30 Oct 2019
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. Thank you.
All opinions expressed are my own.
Covering topics such as rationing and the coupon numbers decreasing. People wee just trying to survive this hard time. There are photos and illustrations sewing patterns and advertisements from the time. Very interesting and informative book.
Pub Date: 30 Oct 2019
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. Thank you.
All opinions expressed are my own.
February 8, 2020
https://donnasbookblog.wordpress.com/...
I thought that this was an absolutely fascinating book!
The layout was great, I loved how the images dominated the pages as sometimes in books of this nature there tends to be more text than images - and for me pictures really do tell the story, this is a brilliant reference book and I was already recommending it before I had finished it - and I don't do that too often!
The captions were great and I loved being able to image what it would have been like during the period, and it makes you wonder what the personalities of the previous owners of some if the items would have been like - what did they witness and go through during the period of war too. I liked that the book covered the way that clothes were rationed as the focus for this does really seem to be on food items.
The sections on the different services that women took part in was great too - and I loved the detail regarding their uniforms. The book also showed just how ingenious women can be when needed and the images of the items made from silk parachutes was lovely.
It was well researched and the author clearly knows her topic and it shone through in the book. It is 5 stars from me for this one, it was a pleasure to read and packed full of wonderful picture and detail - very highly recommended!!
I thought that this was an absolutely fascinating book!
The layout was great, I loved how the images dominated the pages as sometimes in books of this nature there tends to be more text than images - and for me pictures really do tell the story, this is a brilliant reference book and I was already recommending it before I had finished it - and I don't do that too often!
The captions were great and I loved being able to image what it would have been like during the period, and it makes you wonder what the personalities of the previous owners of some if the items would have been like - what did they witness and go through during the period of war too. I liked that the book covered the way that clothes were rationed as the focus for this does really seem to be on food items.
The sections on the different services that women took part in was great too - and I loved the detail regarding their uniforms. The book also showed just how ingenious women can be when needed and the images of the items made from silk parachutes was lovely.
It was well researched and the author clearly knows her topic and it shone through in the book. It is 5 stars from me for this one, it was a pleasure to read and packed full of wonderful picture and detail - very highly recommended!!
August 29, 2019
More reviews (and no fluff) on the blog http://surrealtalvi.wordpress.com/
Exhaustively researched and very comprehensive, author Adlington explores every aspect of life for women during World War II. Rather than focusing only one area e.g., British or American lives, the book explores many diverse and interesting cultures, from Japan to New Zealand, Alaska to India.The book contains 20 chapters, each covering various aspects of 1940s life. Topics as diverse as rationing and couture houses, black market and industrial work, maritime and leisure activities, cosmetics and maternity wear, weddings and agricultural work are covered. Although fashion plays a large part of the book, it is only one aspect of women's lives discussed.
Every chapters is lavishly illustrated -whether a personal photograph, magazine cover, personal notebook, studio images of vintage items, advertisements, pamphlets, drawings, and more. There is so much to see, all coming from so many different cultures. There is clearly a lot of work put into the writing and presentation of this book and what could only be arising from a personal collection over many years by the author.
Great for research or for those curious about the lives of our relatives during World War II, this is an extremely well done and comprehensive study of the era. Reviewed from an advance reader copy provided by the publisher.
August 15, 2019
A fascinating look at WW2 through an unexpected lens - the clothes that women wore! It predominantly focusses on what women in the UK were wearing but touches on US, Europe & the Far East too
We see how fashion was influenced by military designs, and how practicality and availability overtook fashion in terms of what was available & suitable to wear. Aprons, which became a necessity to protect the clothes during housework rather than an accessory, were deliberately made colourful in order to boost morale and it was particularly interesting to read that the WVS greatcoat was specifically designed to be green-grey so as to not show the dirt & also to be loose enough & warm enough to be able to sleep in. When clothes were rationed, the average woman received 66 coupons a year (later reduced to 36) which were required for everything from coats to washcloths, yet the Queen (who we know better as the Queen Mother) received 1,277 coupons a year! It was particularly poignant to realise how few clothes people had in the 1940s compared to what people have now - "Gone are the days when any of us have either the money or the space to poses six of everything in our undies drawer but you should try to have three of everything, one set on your back, one in the wash and one clean and ready for any emergency" It is also interesting to see how the sort of embroidery I am familiar with from my Grandma/Mother's table cloths (mostly floral & often from transfers) became popular at this time as an easy way to revitalise faded or worn clothing, or as a way to disguise patches etc. We could learn a huge amount from the resourcefulness of these women though it is inconceivable today that a government order would be created to prohibit the use of elastic in all garments (except women's corsets & knickers) Elastic(Control of Use) Order 1943!
I really liked the pictures - from old sewing patterns & advertisements to photos of women from the time - as they really added huge value to the text, however I wasn't so keen on the photos of modern women wearing clothes from the era.
Overall, a fascinating read that I would heartily recommend to anyone with an interest in social history, WW2 or women's fashion
We see how fashion was influenced by military designs, and how practicality and availability overtook fashion in terms of what was available & suitable to wear. Aprons, which became a necessity to protect the clothes during housework rather than an accessory, were deliberately made colourful in order to boost morale and it was particularly interesting to read that the WVS greatcoat was specifically designed to be green-grey so as to not show the dirt & also to be loose enough & warm enough to be able to sleep in. When clothes were rationed, the average woman received 66 coupons a year (later reduced to 36) which were required for everything from coats to washcloths, yet the Queen (who we know better as the Queen Mother) received 1,277 coupons a year! It was particularly poignant to realise how few clothes people had in the 1940s compared to what people have now - "Gone are the days when any of us have either the money or the space to poses six of everything in our undies drawer but you should try to have three of everything, one set on your back, one in the wash and one clean and ready for any emergency" It is also interesting to see how the sort of embroidery I am familiar with from my Grandma/Mother's table cloths (mostly floral & often from transfers) became popular at this time as an easy way to revitalise faded or worn clothing, or as a way to disguise patches etc. We could learn a huge amount from the resourcefulness of these women though it is inconceivable today that a government order would be created to prohibit the use of elastic in all garments (except women's corsets & knickers) Elastic(Control of Use) Order 1943!
I really liked the pictures - from old sewing patterns & advertisements to photos of women from the time - as they really added huge value to the text, however I wasn't so keen on the photos of modern women wearing clothes from the era.
Overall, a fascinating read that I would heartily recommend to anyone with an interest in social history, WW2 or women's fashion
November 2, 2019
Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
Women's Lives and Clothes in WW2: Ready for Action is a comprehensive historical survey of clothing for women in a broad spectrum of situations in the period surrounding World War 2. Due out 2nd Feb 2020 from Pen & Sword, it's 296 pages and will be available in hardcover and ebook formats.
Though the primary resources and focus of this encyclopedic work are Western European, there are tantalizing glimpses of other cultures and textiles from other areas during the same time period. The subjects in the photos are diverse ethnically, culturally, economically, and geographically (though most are European).
The chapters are arranged thematically around work and lifestyles: volunteers, resistance, thrift/homesewing, textile industry, haute couture, aviation, maritime, underwear, weddings, maternity and several more. Each of the chapters throughout the book is well documented and footnoted. The photography is abundant and credited (and obviously of varying quality considering the age of the photographic technology of the time).
The text is accessible and warm and manages to avoid a dry academic tone whilst maintaining a high degree of scholarship. I found the written portions interesting and full of anecdotes which supported the illustrations quite well.
The resources lists provide a rich selection of references for further exploration of the topic. There's also a comprehensive cross-referenced index. In fact, the meticulous references, footnotes, and bibliography represent 11.5% of the page content and, for me, were some of the biggest positive draws for this well researched book.
This would make a solid support text for so many subjects: gender studies, history, culture, textiles, sociology, and more. It is also readable on its own merits and would make a great selection for readers of history, culture, and WW2.
Five stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
Women's Lives and Clothes in WW2: Ready for Action is a comprehensive historical survey of clothing for women in a broad spectrum of situations in the period surrounding World War 2. Due out 2nd Feb 2020 from Pen & Sword, it's 296 pages and will be available in hardcover and ebook formats.
Though the primary resources and focus of this encyclopedic work are Western European, there are tantalizing glimpses of other cultures and textiles from other areas during the same time period. The subjects in the photos are diverse ethnically, culturally, economically, and geographically (though most are European).
The chapters are arranged thematically around work and lifestyles: volunteers, resistance, thrift/homesewing, textile industry, haute couture, aviation, maritime, underwear, weddings, maternity and several more. Each of the chapters throughout the book is well documented and footnoted. The photography is abundant and credited (and obviously of varying quality considering the age of the photographic technology of the time).
The text is accessible and warm and manages to avoid a dry academic tone whilst maintaining a high degree of scholarship. I found the written portions interesting and full of anecdotes which supported the illustrations quite well.
The resources lists provide a rich selection of references for further exploration of the topic. There's also a comprehensive cross-referenced index. In fact, the meticulous references, footnotes, and bibliography represent 11.5% of the page content and, for me, were some of the biggest positive draws for this well researched book.
This would make a solid support text for so many subjects: gender studies, history, culture, textiles, sociology, and more. It is also readable on its own merits and would make a great selection for readers of history, culture, and WW2.
Five stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
August 8, 2019
I might be a little bit biased here, because my current research is in WWII history and in particular women's involvement, but this book is an excellent addition to what is admittedly a saturated market, and is exactly the type of information I was looking for. Lucy Adlington's Women's Lives and Clothes in WW2 is a thoughtful and concise history of the conditions faced by women on both the home front and in military life during one of the most harrowing periods of the twentieth century.
I found this book to be extremely accessible and both those knowledgeable about the period and the casual reader alike will enjoy it. Gorgeous illustrations, both black and white and full color, including advertisements, photographs, sewing patterns, etc., bring this subject to life. Among the topics covered are:
-shopping, rationing, and the black market
-spies and undercover work
-military work, including aviation and maritime
-internment and concentration camps
-cosmetics
-weddings
Another great part of this book is that Adlington doesn't focus on any one nationality, but she's included research across those globe: what women in the US, Europe (including England, Germany, Czechoslovakia), and Asia (including India, Hong Kong, Japan) were experiencing. This allows for a very well-rounded look at the contemporary conditions.
There is a generous source list and bibliography--very helpful for further research.
I'd definitely recommend this one. It's perfect for history fans of the war itself or of women's history.
Thank you to Pen & Sword books and NetGalley for providing this copy for review.
I found this book to be extremely accessible and both those knowledgeable about the period and the casual reader alike will enjoy it. Gorgeous illustrations, both black and white and full color, including advertisements, photographs, sewing patterns, etc., bring this subject to life. Among the topics covered are:
-shopping, rationing, and the black market
-spies and undercover work
-military work, including aviation and maritime
-internment and concentration camps
-cosmetics
-weddings
Another great part of this book is that Adlington doesn't focus on any one nationality, but she's included research across those globe: what women in the US, Europe (including England, Germany, Czechoslovakia), and Asia (including India, Hong Kong, Japan) were experiencing. This allows for a very well-rounded look at the contemporary conditions.
There is a generous source list and bibliography--very helpful for further research.
I'd definitely recommend this one. It's perfect for history fans of the war itself or of women's history.
Thank you to Pen & Sword books and NetGalley for providing this copy for review.
August 9, 2019
A wonderful book documenting the war from how it affects women’s lives, as the author says war is often seen from the male perspective and it’s so refreshing to see it from not just a female perspective, but the everyday perspectives of people living their lives, trying to survive and never being recognised as the heroes or thinking they made a difference. This book documents such interesting details from all different cultures of women affected from each side, how they were important, that their lives made a difference. I think it’s so important these lives are recorded and remembered, it’s a true perspective of lives at a certain point and what we were fighting for. The photos, illustrations, propaganda and adverts used are so wonderful and the book would be completely different without them. They are well placed and make it that little bit more special. Wonderful read, highly recommended.
August 16, 2019
Was provided with this book as a ARC via Netgalley for a honest review.
Adlington presents an interesting look on both civilian and military lives of women during the World War 2 in several different countries and what they wore, made do with what they had and how rationing of fabric and sewing material changed fashion. There are 20 chapters, each about a certain aspect of working women and situations one might find oneself in - both in military life and in a civilian life.
I had expected this to only cover the lives and fashion history of British women, but were happy to see all sort of countries on different continents being represented with in depth citations and discussions about the hardships everyone went through, whether fighting or not, during the five years (and onwards into the 50s for rationing). There were lots of photographs to help visualise the discussions in each chapter which made it interesting to read with a clear picture of what was being described.
Adlington presents an interesting look on both civilian and military lives of women during the World War 2 in several different countries and what they wore, made do with what they had and how rationing of fabric and sewing material changed fashion. There are 20 chapters, each about a certain aspect of working women and situations one might find oneself in - both in military life and in a civilian life.
I had expected this to only cover the lives and fashion history of British women, but were happy to see all sort of countries on different continents being represented with in depth citations and discussions about the hardships everyone went through, whether fighting or not, during the five years (and onwards into the 50s for rationing). There were lots of photographs to help visualise the discussions in each chapter which made it interesting to read with a clear picture of what was being described.
September 17, 2019
I received a free copy for review from Netgalley.
For the most part, I liked this as a review of historical fashion. However, though I appreciated she stated her bias up front, the historical clothes would have been better served by being displayed on mannequins rather than models as they lost some of the historical and emotional impact. I preferred the historical photos, as these were less jarring and showed more of a situational reference to how these were seen by others as well.
This was extremely well researched, and although I wish it covered certain aspects of fashion’s use as part of the war propaganda machine, that’s a segment that could easily be it’s own book.
This is a great addition for anyone looking to expand their knowledge or their own personal research library on the topic.
For the most part, I liked this as a review of historical fashion. However, though I appreciated she stated her bias up front, the historical clothes would have been better served by being displayed on mannequins rather than models as they lost some of the historical and emotional impact. I preferred the historical photos, as these were less jarring and showed more of a situational reference to how these were seen by others as well.
This was extremely well researched, and although I wish it covered certain aspects of fashion’s use as part of the war propaganda machine, that’s a segment that could easily be it’s own book.
This is a great addition for anyone looking to expand their knowledge or their own personal research library on the topic.
September 25, 2019
I loved this book, it's well researched and well written.
I'm interested in women's history and this was a good example of historical analysis of women during the war.
I liked how the book is organised, the well written texts and the pictures.
It's highly recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
I'm interested in women's history and this was a good example of historical analysis of women during the war.
I liked how the book is organised, the well written texts and the pictures.
It's highly recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
Read
August 29, 2019Fantastic, thorough guide to women's clothing during WWII. I loved how this book goes into depth about the different ways women were involved during the war, many of which I wasn't aware of. Lots of great photos, too.
August 13, 2019
The topic really fascinated me. so when I was allowed to review this I was really excited. It was a well-researched and interesting book.
August 20, 2019
This book is delightful. The author provides solid references and stunning pictures from archives.
#WomensLivesAndClothesInWw2 #NetGalley
#WomensLivesAndClothesInWw2 #NetGalley
April 14, 2023
The Second World War, even more than the one that preceded it, was a "total" war, in the sense that it hit the lives of all the people of all the countries involved in a heavy and tragic way. It has turned their lives upside down and changed their habits, dreams, hopes and aspirations. No doubt if we think about this conflict we see armies and battles but it is not difficult to think, more than for other conflicts in history, about the people who have suffered and who have reacted to this conflict, and one of these categories is undoubtedly that of women.
The book I present to you today, written by dress historian Lucy Adlington, is a profound and extremely interesting look into the experience of women in World War II. It is natural that given Addington's specialization the spotlight is mainly focused on the clothes, but the clothes themselves often reflect the life and way of life of people and therefore serve as a testament of those who created and worn those clothes.
The first thing that catches the eye of the book is the conception of the chapters that narrate all the areas in which women distinguished themselves, and here there are no exceptions. From the auxiliaries to the workers, from the fields to the maritime service, from the dance floors to the churches and weddings and maternity, up to the chapter dedicated to women's underwear, nothing is overlooked. Speaking wisely of clothes is also a means of bringing to light life testimonies, from the most normal to the tragic ones of deportees or female combatants.
Being a lover of the old cinema I have always admired the femininity and elegance of that decade covered in the book, but if the "stage" clothes were well treated from all points of view, those of every day had to deal with economic constraints , rationing, poor materials. All of us who have had a grandmother or a mother who lived through that period remember the stories of how the clothes were made of poor or recycled materials such as canvas or for the more fortunate the silk of parachutes! Or that the shoes had cork heels to replace those of conventional material. Or even the line (imitating the seam) drawn with a pencil behind the leg to make up for the lack of nylon stockings! Feminine inventiveness coupled with the desire to still be elegant is ultimately a means to preserve the hope of a normal life despite the barbarism of war. If we think about it, with the necessary differences, this is what happens today with the Corona Virus emergency and the fashion of coordinated masks.
What more can I say? This fantastic book, published by Pen & Sword is a mine of beautiful photos, both of the time and current, which illustrate the fashion of the war period, but above all it is a journey to discover the life of women, of every latitude (and this is a merit), of every social class, of every condition, struggling with a tragedy to which they responded with the usual desire to live and with the hope of normality.
The book I present to you today, written by dress historian Lucy Adlington, is a profound and extremely interesting look into the experience of women in World War II. It is natural that given Addington's specialization the spotlight is mainly focused on the clothes, but the clothes themselves often reflect the life and way of life of people and therefore serve as a testament of those who created and worn those clothes.
The first thing that catches the eye of the book is the conception of the chapters that narrate all the areas in which women distinguished themselves, and here there are no exceptions. From the auxiliaries to the workers, from the fields to the maritime service, from the dance floors to the churches and weddings and maternity, up to the chapter dedicated to women's underwear, nothing is overlooked. Speaking wisely of clothes is also a means of bringing to light life testimonies, from the most normal to the tragic ones of deportees or female combatants.
Being a lover of the old cinema I have always admired the femininity and elegance of that decade covered in the book, but if the "stage" clothes were well treated from all points of view, those of every day had to deal with economic constraints , rationing, poor materials. All of us who have had a grandmother or a mother who lived through that period remember the stories of how the clothes were made of poor or recycled materials such as canvas or for the more fortunate the silk of parachutes! Or that the shoes had cork heels to replace those of conventional material. Or even the line (imitating the seam) drawn with a pencil behind the leg to make up for the lack of nylon stockings! Feminine inventiveness coupled with the desire to still be elegant is ultimately a means to preserve the hope of a normal life despite the barbarism of war. If we think about it, with the necessary differences, this is what happens today with the Corona Virus emergency and the fashion of coordinated masks.
What more can I say? This fantastic book, published by Pen & Sword is a mine of beautiful photos, both of the time and current, which illustrate the fashion of the war period, but above all it is a journey to discover the life of women, of every latitude (and this is a merit), of every social class, of every condition, struggling with a tragedy to which they responded with the usual desire to live and with the hope of normality.
January 4, 2022
I am fascinated by what women did during both world wars, there is a huge abundance of books that covers this era and how women played such an integral part in the war effort and beyond. But this is the first book I have come across which focus’ on what the women wore, which is one of the reasons I was taken with it. Whether they were land girls, wrens, nurses, factory girls or having a rare night on out their entire wardrobe is covered in this original and enlightening book.
I liked that the author didn’t just go down the stereotypical route of only focusing on the well-publicised aspects of women during the war, and o those stories which we all know for their heroism, here the author mixes the known with the relatively unknown, such as shining a spotlight on the under-represented women of the time, everyday women who may have gone under the radar and I really liked that.
I liked how the author incorporated quotes from fashion magazines or pamphlets of the time dotted through the book, I can imagine women from the time reading these magazines and oohing and ahhing over the frocks and materials which were available at the time, for those who could afford such luxuries.
I enjoyed the author’s attention to the materials of the clothes and what was available, it’s refreshing to read about the more mundane and everyday aspects of women in the war, I liked how it works as a bridge between over books about women in WW2, such as you can read all about the Wren’s, Land Girls, Steel Factory Girls and Nurses but this book allows you to fully understand how they were able to go about their work in the clothes they were wearing and what they could/couldn’t wear in certain circumstances (if that makes sense).
I would have preferred the images to be historical pictures showing real women of the era instead of staged costume images, I thought the bright colourful images were a little off-putting while reading especially when you suddenly come across one. I don’t mind one or two for informational purposes if an original image of a garment cannot be sourced. Less is more as the saying goes and it is very true here!
Women’s Lives and Clothes in WW2; Ready for Action is an easy to read book, I like how it’s laid out making it accessible to the reader and I thought the author has done a great job at sharing her insightful knowledge on the subject. Overall, this would be a great addition to anyone’s bookcase as a reference book for those who have an interest in the subject.
I liked that the author didn’t just go down the stereotypical route of only focusing on the well-publicised aspects of women during the war, and o those stories which we all know for their heroism, here the author mixes the known with the relatively unknown, such as shining a spotlight on the under-represented women of the time, everyday women who may have gone under the radar and I really liked that.
I liked how the author incorporated quotes from fashion magazines or pamphlets of the time dotted through the book, I can imagine women from the time reading these magazines and oohing and ahhing over the frocks and materials which were available at the time, for those who could afford such luxuries.
I enjoyed the author’s attention to the materials of the clothes and what was available, it’s refreshing to read about the more mundane and everyday aspects of women in the war, I liked how it works as a bridge between over books about women in WW2, such as you can read all about the Wren’s, Land Girls, Steel Factory Girls and Nurses but this book allows you to fully understand how they were able to go about their work in the clothes they were wearing and what they could/couldn’t wear in certain circumstances (if that makes sense).
I would have preferred the images to be historical pictures showing real women of the era instead of staged costume images, I thought the bright colourful images were a little off-putting while reading especially when you suddenly come across one. I don’t mind one or two for informational purposes if an original image of a garment cannot be sourced. Less is more as the saying goes and it is very true here!
Women’s Lives and Clothes in WW2; Ready for Action is an easy to read book, I like how it’s laid out making it accessible to the reader and I thought the author has done a great job at sharing her insightful knowledge on the subject. Overall, this would be a great addition to anyone’s bookcase as a reference book for those who have an interest in the subject.
May 1, 2020
Loved this - it does what it says on the can and is an incredible piece of research. Adlingon covers just about every country and every occupation, on both sides of the conflict, so we learn not only about fashion but also about code breakers, the armed services, nurses, the Holocaust, air raids, the war in the Far East, factories in Russia, Korea and the Ukraine - all from the point of view of women and what they wore.
There are farm workers who smuggle food past checkpoints in hidden pockets, Soviet fur-clad women bomber pilots, knitting in air raid shelters and two female chemists in Calcutta raising thousands of rupees for the East India fund by inventing their own cosmetics. More chillingly there are the female guards at Dachau - a steady job and unlimited new clothes.
There are farm workers who smuggle food past checkpoints in hidden pockets, Soviet fur-clad women bomber pilots, knitting in air raid shelters and two female chemists in Calcutta raising thousands of rupees for the East India fund by inventing their own cosmetics. More chillingly there are the female guards at Dachau - a steady job and unlimited new clothes.
July 18, 2020
Well this was an interesting read. I've never had it happen to me before that when I read a non-fiction book about fashion, I get emotional. Like, proper nearly in tears emotional. That only goes to show how well written this book is. The author explains that the book is very British-centric as she is from the UK herself, but she mentioned more lives than most war books I've read. I highly, highly recommend it if you want to know more about fashion during the war or just about every day life in the 1940s. The ONLY downside to this book was that it kept referring to the Netherlands as "Holland", which is just a huge pet peeve of mine. Other than that, it's pretty much near perfect.
January 29, 2021
Very interesting. It gives you a insight into the lives of all sorts of women in different countries during a very traumatic time, and makes you think how would I have coped.
December 13, 2019
This is an absolutely incredible book. It is informative, detailed, creative, and respectful. It offers an innovative and incredible look at Women's Lives during WW2 by looking at textiles as a tactile object that holds memories, stories and meanings of herstory. I can't recommend this book highly enough!
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