Victorian and Edwardian Fashion: A Photographic Survey

by Alison Gernsheim

Book Overview

Since the invention of photography there has not been a history of fashion completely illustrated by photographs -- until this one. Photography historian Alison Gernsheim first studied Victorian and Edwardian fashion in order to be able to date photographs in her collection. Of course the photos soon proved to be the best of all fashion plates -- authentic, detailed, as decorative and charming as top fashion illustration. When united with identifications...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0486242056
• ISBN13: 9780486242057
• Release Date: January 1982
• Publisher: Dover Publications
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 0.99 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 7.1" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

Historical

My eyes have indulged themselves with both historical figures properly poised and tears of joy in the beholding. The photos are actual photos to be era correct. I purchased this book in hopes to find something beyond illustrations from any Goday Magazines or Harper Bizarre fashion plates, I have decided to move this book from hand-drawn eye candy to time period reference..and yes I read the well noted chapter on the history of Crinoline..

A Very Important Reference for Fashion and/or Social History

Since 1963, this has remained an important contribution to the understanding of the interface between fashion and social history. The author built her text from extensive research in contemporary sources, and there are footnotes so that we may retrace her steps. She did not always use dated photographs as evidence but since her theories are constructed from historical sources, I am inclined to forgive her when she selects undated pictures to illustrate her points. The novice needs a warning that Gernsheim's history of fashion is almost entirely British (not American). You need to know that there are differences in chronology and taste between old world and new. -- And Gernsheim documents mostly the choices of the well-to-do. The book is also more text than illustration and the reproduction of the wonderful photographs does not do them justice. That said, do not be deterred! "Victorian and Edwardian Fashion" is an excellent read and an absolute must-have if you are a serious researcher.

Why didn't Amazon recommend this sooner?

I have bought (and loved) several costume research books on the Victorian/Edwardian era. Fashion plate oriented books, most notably "Victorian and Edwardian Fashions from 'La Mode Illustree'", are great for research, but for true visual aides, the photographs found in this book are indispensable. The photos range from amateur snapshots to posed, professionally done portraits. With an almost equal distribution of male and female subjects, this book may be the best guide to authentic Victorian and Edwardian costume. Unlike fashion plates, the photos show costumes for a variety of occasions and suitable for different ages and sizes. Spanning the entire Victorian and Edwardian eras, you can locate most popular styles within the tons of black and white photos. For realism, check out this book. If you are more interested in the latest in fashion of the time, check out "Victorian and Edwardian Fashions from 'La Mode Illustree'". A great source!

Great selection of victorian photographs

This book is perfect for anyone interested in the Victorian Era. The book is full of beautiful pictures, and each one has its own caption. The pictures are all in order by year, so its fun to see how the dresses and hairstyles slowly changed from 1840-1910. Besides pictures, there is also alot of interesting reading. You get to learn all about men, women, and children's fashions of this era.

Excellent historical resource

This book is an excellent contemporary resource for anyone interested in dress of the period. It contains portraits ranging from the posed and formal to the less formal (though still staged). As a record of what real people wore it is invaluable, showing not only the well-to-do and fashionable but the working classes as well, sometimes in uniform. Add to this that the settings also are recorded and it is a gold mine for anyone researching the period.