Buy used:
$40.00
Used: Good | Details
Sold by Feyiz
Fulfilled by Amazon
Condition: Used: Good

Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) is a service we offer sellers that lets them store their products in Amazon's fulfillment centers, and we directly pack, ship, and provide customer service for these products. Something we hope you'll especially enjoy: FBA items qualify for FREE Shipping and Amazon Prime.

If you're a seller, Fulfillment by Amazon can help you grow your business. Learn more about the program.

Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items.
Amazon book clubs early access
Loading your book clubs
There was a problem loading your book clubs. Please try again.
Not in a club? Learn more
Amazon book clubs early access

Join or create book clubs

Choose books together

Track your books
Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free.
Explore Amazon Book Clubs
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

Lydia Edwards
+ Follow
More books from this author
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

How to Read a Dress: A Guide to Changing Fashion from the 16th to the 20th Century Paperback – March 8, 2019

by Lydia Edwards (Author)
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 301 ratings
See all formats and editions

There is a newer edition of this item:

How to Read a Dress: A Guide to Changing Fashion from the 16th to the 21st Century
How to Read a Dress: A Guide to Changing Fashion from the 16th to the 21st Century
$23.72
(162)
Only 2 left in stock - order soon.

Fashion is ever-changing, and while some styles mark a dramatic departure from the past, many exhibit subtle differences from year to year that are not always easily identifiable. With overviews of each key period and detailed illustrations for each new style, How to Read a Dress is an authoritative visual guide to women's fashion across five centuries.

Each entry includes annotated color images of historical garments, outlining important features and highlighting how styles have developed over time, whether in shape, fabric choice, trimming, or undergarments. Readers will learn how garments were constructed and where their inspiration stemmed from at key points in history – as well as how dresses have varied in type, cut, detailing and popularity according to the occasion and the class, age and social status of the wearer.

This lavishly illustrated book is the ideal tool for anyone who has ever wanted to know their cartridge pleats from their Récamier ruffles. Equipping the reader with all the information they need to 'read' a dress, this is the ultimate guide for students, researchers, and anyone interested in historical fashion.

Read more Read less
  Report an issue with this product or seller
Previous page
  1. Print length
    216 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Bloomsbury Visual Arts
  4. Publication date
    March 8, 2019
  5. Dimensions
    7.46 x 0.48 x 9.74 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1350108286
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1350108288
  8. See all details
Next page
The Amazon Book Review
The Amazon Book Review
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“For a knowledgeable introduction that has plenty of eye candy alongside its scholarship, Lydia Edwards' How to Read a Dress hits the spot…The curated collection, featuring everything from funeral finery to department-store finds, offers [a...] fascinating fashion primer that invites you to make connections across centuries, to wonder about the ways huge social shifts are reflected in everyday life, and tips you off about the placement of shoulder seams. Whether you're a costume nerd or just casually curious, How to Read a Dress will give you some insights into the language of dress.” ―NPR

“The general principle of this book is excellent and provides a much–needed overview ... [It] is a perfect introduction to the world of dress history and provides a good stimulus for further study. For those with specialist knowledge of particular periods, it provides a quick and easily accessed reference for the main points of other periods.” ―The Journal of Dress History

“This original, accessible take on fashion history is packed with color images, and each example garment annotated with terminology, key elements of the shape and construction, and other details of note.” ―CHOICE

“Those looking for a detailed, object centered and carefully researched study of historic dress will find a satisfying, richly illustrated guide for looking at clothes.” ―The Fashion Studies Journal

“Lydia Edwards's How to Read a Dress is a detailed, practical, and totally beautiful guide to the history of this particular form of clothing from the 16th to the 20th centuries.” ―Jezebel

“Ultimately, this is an excellent book for scholars of fashion history, costume designers and makers, and really anyone looking to improve their ability to determine the period of a given dress.” ―La Bricoleuse

“This is a beautiful, well-written book. The photos are a joy to study, and I finished it wishing it were twice as long.” ―The Vintage Traveler

About the Author

Lydia Edwards is a Lecturer at Edith Cowan University, Perth, Australia.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Bloomsbury Visual Arts; Reprint edition (March 8, 2019)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 216 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1350108286
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1350108288
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.34 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7.46 x 0.48 x 9.74 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 301 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Lydia Edwards

Lydia Edwards

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read author blogs and more

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
301 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Alvine Duggan
5.0 out of 5 stars Great reference book
Reviewed in the United States on May 9, 2021
Verified Purchase
Very good illustrations and historical reference. Could possibly draft patterns as well.
Helpful
 Report
Natalie
5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect Resource for Historical Fiction Writer!
Reviewed in the United States on October 16, 2020
Verified Purchase
Love this! As a historical fiction writer, this helps me tremendously when I need a quick refence about this or that, or a starting point on what else I need to research further.
Helpful
 Report
Rev. Val White
5.0 out of 5 stars A Lucious Read!
Reviewed in the United States on October 22, 2020
Verified Purchase
I’ve been interested in historical clothing for 50 years, particularly as a seamstress. This book is great for either a hobbyist or a professional costumer. Loved it!
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
lifestyles of grace
5.0 out of 5 stars Lots of beautiful photo with dress details.
Reviewed in the United States on July 23, 2020
Verified Purchase
If you are like me and love history and photos, this book provides help for dating a photo you may have. I can use this book to estimate which 10 or 20 year period my historical image were likely made. I sew and love the opportunity to see the lovely dresses with detail descriptions this book also shows the reader. Delish!
3 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
KLM
5.0 out of 5 stars Great read
Reviewed in the United States on August 12, 2020
Verified Purchase
SO MUCH INFORMATION! A big help in dating dresses & determining if description is accurate.
Helpful
 Report
dethr0ned
4.0 out of 5 stars Great images with detailed descriptions on how to describe various ...
Reviewed in the United States on February 9, 2018
Verified Purchase
Great images with detailed descriptions on how to describe various parts of a historic dress. It would be a good reference book for students learning the history of western dress aside from their textbook
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Kelly O’Keefe
5.0 out of 5 stars A great gift that she keeps sharing with me, she loves so much!
Reviewed in the United States on October 6, 2020
Verified Purchase
Bought this book for a friend who is very into the history of fashion, as well as the history of equestrian fashion and she loves this book! She keeps screenshot Ing pictures from it and sending them to me! LOL I chose a great gift!
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Barbara Meger
5.0 out of 5 stars This book belongs in the library of anyone who has ...
Reviewed in the United States on July 28, 2017
Verified Purchase
This book belongs in the library of anyone who has an interest in costume history. The information precisely presented. The book offers examples from smaller collections which aren't often seen. After reading it cover-to-cover, I've already consulted it several times.
21 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report

Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English
Linda Patterson
5.0 out of 5 stars A helpful reference
Reviewed in Canada on January 14, 2019
Verified Purchase
This book is a good overview guide to the main changes in women's fashion from the 16th to 20th century. Carefully chosen images of real clothing are helpful.
Report
L. Clarkson
5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating book.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 30, 2020
Verified Purchase
Great descriptions of the fashions and trends from the tudor period onwards. Some of the dresses shown have interesting back stories. I didn't study textiles or fashion but find it really interesting, especially as I like making my own clothes. This filled in some gaps in my education. Clear details with the terminology demystified. Lots of inspiration too. Fantastic photographs. I quite happily read it cover to cover.
One person found this helpful
 Report
Lucía Benedet
5.0 out of 5 stars precioso
Reviewed in Spain on September 5, 2017
Verified Purchase
Muy bien ilustrado y con muchísima información.
Recomendado para quien quiera tener un conocimiento de historia de la moda y para los aficionados a la costura o a la moda.
Report
Sandra
5.0 out of 5 stars Fun, easy too read but just not enough pages
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 27, 2020
Verified Purchase
This book could have many hundreds more examples, but it's quirky, easy to read with plenty of photos. Liked it very much.
Report
TMM
5.0 out of 5 stars Great art resource
Reviewed in Canada on October 15, 2017
Verified Purchase
Lovely pictures and lots of valuable information. The way it dissects trends has been invaluable when learning how to design believable period-appropriate clothing. Great art resource!
Report