A Dictionary of Costume and Fashion: Historic and Modern

by Mary Brooks Picken

While most of us would have little difficulty in recognizing a buckle, hem, or seam, we might be considerably more challenged if asked to identify a godet, a trilby, or a vamp. With this handy book at your fingertips, however, you can quickly find the definition of over 10,000 words associated with wearing apparel and fashion.
From bateau necklines, bobs, and bustles to plackets, havelocks, and bavolets, terms are assembled alphabetically or in groups according to dress parts, fabrics, elements of design, and other style categories. In addition, over 950 clearly detailed illustrations depict stitches, weaves, laces, garments, collars, shoes, jewelry, hair styles, and other sartorial features.
This is the perfect reference for increasing fashion vocabularies, injecting a stimulating term or phrase in conversations about wearing apparel, or making articles written about clothing more understandable. Fashion writers, costume designers, manufacturers, buyers, sales people — anyone interested in the history of fashion — will welcome this thorough and comprehensive guidebook. "Unique in its field and containing material not easily accessible elsewhere, it definitely has a place in the general reference library for quick identification purposes and for anyone concerned with the fashion field." — Booklist

Genres: History, Fashion, Reference, Nonfiction, Writing, Sewing, Research

446 pages, Paperback

First published June 15, 1998

Reviews

[Eyehavenofilter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Historic and modern costume and Fashion are discussed in this very detailed dictionary. Alphabetically from aal a dye fron eastern India to Zulu cloth and everything in between. I was amazed at how extensive this actual dictionary is, and very pleased to know that it exists. It was fun to look up " peddle pushers" and see that yes... They really have a place in this book.

[Mychelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

best book in the business

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good reference book for fashion.

[My · Rating 2 out of 5]

good!

[Diana Bliss · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book isn't so much a book to read but a reference book for sewers of any kind. I'm a sewer and quilter and the information in it is just what I need. For sewers everywhere!