A Pictorial History of Costume

Rating:
Summary: dated, but a classic
Review: This book is worth the effort of searching out a copy, and paying double, triple or beyond the orignial price. It's a wonderful reference work for those interested in recreating the look of historic costume, or ethnic dress from 100 years ago.

Each garment is shown in a watercolir line-drawing illustration, most of the time accompanied by a rendering that shows the number and shape of various pattern pieces needed to construct the garment.

I did find that there is a stronger emphasis in Eastern European garments than I found totally interesting. But by and large, this is a treasure.

I did note one anachronism and one inaccuracy. Native Americans are here--in this book put together before 1945--are here listed as ``Red Indians.'' And the famed woven Chilkoot dance blankets of British Columbia are described as appliqued rather than woven. But all in all, this book will have pride of place on my costume-making reference shelf.