Women's Hats, Headdresses and Hairstyles: With 453 Illustrations, Medieval to Modern

by Georgine de Courtais

From simple barbettes, crespines, and wimples worn in Anglo-Saxon times to the pillbox hat popularized by Jackie Kennedy in the mid-twentieth century, hats and headdresses have — for centuries — played an important part of a lady's wardrobe. This informative and meticulously researched book provides an authentic record of more than 1,300 years of changing fashions in women's hairstyles and headwear in England.
More than 400 of the author's own drawings — rendered from ancient sources — trace these evolving fashions. Finely detailed images depict turbans; horned, heart-shaped, and butterfly headdresses preferred by fifteenth-century English ladies; seventeenth-century hoods and veils; elaborate hats and hairstyles of the Georgian period; early Victorian-era bonnets; net and lace caps and small hats of the late nineteenth century; and the emancipated look in both hairstyles and hat styles of the early twentieth century.
The author has written a separate introduction for each historical period, placing headdresses and hairstyles in the fashionable context of their time. Pages of drawings are accompanied by detailed notes on the styles illustrated, including information on the materials used and the varying methods of manufacture. A brief glossary and bibliography add to the book's effectiveness. For those who want to get their historical details accurate, this profusely illustrated guide will be an invaluable reference.
"Designers for any media and students of history will use and enjoy the book." ( Choice ).
"Remarkably entertaining." ( The Economist )

Genres: Fashion, History, Fashion History, Nonfiction

192 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2006

Reviews

[Kara · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great technical history on what British women's hats and hairstyles were from about 1150 to 1980. I loved all the illustrations to see the different types of styles from any one era, and then to see how styles evolved over time.

[Phair · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pretty good resource for English women's hair and head-covering styles from 11thc Anglo-Saxon thru 1980s. Not all of the figures (generally 4-8 per page) are actually described in the text which was occasionally annoying. All illus are line drawings of head & shoulders taken from period sources. There's a good variety of styles including a few of common folk plus some back views which are not always found. Brief text overviews give a broader look at each era's fashions. Also a section at the back showing headwear of domestics & nurses and bridal headdresses- mostly from 19thc & early 20thc. I could have wished for a few pattern diagrams, especially for veil shapes in the early eras. As always with Dover reprints you get a great product at a modest price.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great resource for costuming!