4 comments about Why Do They Dress That Way? (Rev ed) (People's Place Book, No 7).

1. The question asked by the title is thoroughly addressed by Mr. Scott in a very admirable manner of respect. With a heritage of plain dressing himself, the author necessarily focuses mostly on the people he is most familiar with. The book is thorough to a degree that is quite surprising - plain dress is complicated! There's a lot of information on practice as well as purpose, and the photos and diagrams are extremely imformative.
   
   It is a rather poorly presented book. I think the publisher is to blame for photo quality that could have been better with a finer halftone screen. The paper choice combined with a magazine-like screen hampered the photos in my copy, and the photos are vital. It may simply be inconsistent print quality control, but this is an annoyance when I lay out good money for a book.
   
   Overall, I have a very high opinion of the author and the book's content. This is perhaps the best book for anyone interested in the history and practice of plain dress.



2. This book is a well written, sensitive look at one aspect of plain people's practices. Quite often misunderstood, this book explains the "reasons" behind the dress practices as well as the distinctions. It is my understanding that the author is not just writing this from an impersonal, analytical vantage point, but rather plain dress is a personal and important value of his being a member of the Old Order River Brethren in Lancaster County, PA.



3. This book is a fascinating look at the various Protestant (mainly Anabaptist) groups that wear plain clothes, focusing primarily on the Amish, Hutterites and Old Order Mennonites. The author grew up in a nominally Christian home, but over the years he found himself drawn more and more to the commitment of the plain clothes Christians that he saw. Eventually he himself embraced the plain clothes style mode, and this book is his labor of love.

   This book tells you everything that you might want to know about these plain clothes groups, including why they dress the way that they do, how they dress, and the differences that exist in the items worn by plain clothes people. Along the way, the reader is treated to many wonderful black-and-white pictures of plain clothes people.

   Overall, I found this to be a fascinating and informative book. If you are interested in the plain clothes people, then I would have to say that you must get this book. It is an excellent resource!




4. This is a good addition to the library of someone studying the Old Order or 'plain people' groups. I have yet to find a more thorough breakdown of the different types of clothing worn by the four main branches of Old Order Anabaptist sects.

   On the down side, the writing was not particularly well done and there were a few typographic errors. The section on Catholics and Hasidic Jews, though appropriate, were very short.

   Despite the problems mentioned above, this is still a very good reference.

2 comments about A Closet Full of Shoes: Simple Ways to Make Them Chic.

1. I've read a woman can never have too many pairs of shoes. And in this respect, I am all woman. I probably have far too many pair, none too much alike, and who cares?
   
   For my business, which involves Scottish wedding themes, I'm always on the lookout for ways how to further develop Scottish-ness and have fun using Scottish roots to celebrate a wedding.
   
   So I bought A Closet Full of Shoes to see what ideas the authors had and how they might evolve with tartan, Celtic knots, and other Gaelic motifs.
   
   Personally, I don't wear anything with a heel over 1 inch, so I glad to see so many ideas for lower heels and flats. The stiletto heel ideas shown are great, glittery and glitzy...if only I could.
   
   From cover to cover I thoroughly enjoyed the read, the photos, and the creative ideas. It was nice to get directions about "how" to fasten the decorations on the shoes...and stockings!
   
   Eleven creative women contributed photos and directions. There are 49 ideas for ladies, 6 for little girls, 5 work of art displays, and many more photo ideas showing slippers, sandals, flip-flops, sneakers, boots, every day shoes, dressy night-out shoes and wedding shoes.
   
   Embellishment ideas include silk flowers, feathers, glitter and sequins ~ ribbons, trims, fabrics, and lace ~ applique, stencils, beads and buttons ~ computerized photo transfers and painted designs ~ jewelry, including brooches, charms, trinkets, and clip-on earrings. And combinations of these media.
   
   Quotes from Imelda Marcos, Sex and the City, Bette Midler, Oprah Winfrey, Marilyn Monroe, Teddy Roosevelt, Allan Sherman, and Cinderella add a whimsical humor.
   
   My favorite quote was anonymous, "When life gives you rain, splash in the puddles," with a pair of girls rain boots. How long since you've run and splashed in the puddles? Too long, I'll bet.



2. I loved this book from the moment I first opened it. I'm a wearable art artist and the more sources I have the better. This book gives me a new source of options. All my shoes will be having overhauls on them very soon!

No comments about Early Victorian Men.

3 comments about The Image Factory: Fads and Fashions in Japan.

1. This book attacks a fairly narrow question, "Why does a society with such a reputation for conformity chase such outlandish fads?" Donald Richie, a long timer writer on Japanese culture, tackles this in a series of essays on pachinko, the culture of cute, sex culture and even Japanese who try to look foreign.
   
   In the essays, he proposes explanations for these contradictions in behavior. Perhaps dressing in the outlandish fad of the month is part of a uniform for being in a group that dresses that way - membership created as such. The mobile phone craze (replacing Manga, another fad) is interpreted as an exercize in proving one's group belonging. In doing so, he also suggests that perhaps some of these beliefs about conformity are not to distinct to Japanese. Perhaps their uniqueness is in fessing up to a more universal tribalism.
   
   Very interesting reading for both those interested in contemporary Japan, as well as people interested in the nature of belonging.



2. This book makes a fun subject boring, tedius and scholarly. I would only buy this book if you have to write a paper on the subject. I bought it for fun reading because I love cosplay, manga, anime, Japanese pop culture and Japanese fashion. However, this book is filled with complicated, esoteric language meant to alienate the average reader. I don't know who the author thought he was writing for, but it was definitely not for young people who would be intersted in this stuff. It sounds like he was writing it for college literature professors. He really makes it boring! If you want to read a fascinating book about the seedier side of Japanese culture, like about the sex trade, geisha and hostess bars, read Butterflies of Night ISBN: 059532603X. If you want to just see hilariously outrageous photographs of Japanese fashion, buy Fruits by Shoichi Aoki ISBN: 0714840831.



3. This is an up-to-date book. In a country where fads and fashions change rapidly this book serves as a postcard of the now. The author's writing is articulate and indicates a wide array of research and reading going into the material presented here. He has a good knowledge of the Japanese words used, and their lexigraphic meaning. He has been to the places he talks about and spoken to the people involved.

   He covers fads and fashions such as kawaii (cute), manga (comics), pachinko (vertical pinball as gambling) and kosupure (costume play). He also doesn't shirk away from the sex industry and porn, an major cultural asset in Japan. The use of mobile phones and faux theme parks. From fashion shops in Shinjuku and Harajuku to the seedy parts of Tokyo.

   Maybe the only thing missing I feel is a discussion on the different aspects of Japanese drinking. Alcohol is an important part of Japanese culture, as are hostess bars. But that is mostly an avenue of the salaryman, where as this book deals more with the younger generations.

   Think of this beek as a modern version of Alex Kerr's Lost Japan.

   The book also contains 48 colour photos which help to highlight and detail the topic material.

4 comments about Vecellio's Renaissance Costume Book (Dover Pictorial Archive Series).

1. Despite what some may tell you, this is actually a VERY good source for late 16th century Venetian, and to a lesser extent Italian, costume, especially if studied in conjuction with a study of the portraits of the period. Vecellio was a Venetian born and bred, and also had first hand knowledge of Italian fashions outside of Venice. However, any costume depiction in this book that is of costume outside of Venice or Italy should be taken with a grain of salt.



2. I had heard of the Vecellio book and had even seen excerpts from it here and there. As a member of the SCA (Society for Creative Anachronism), with a persona in the Italian Renaissance, I was most anxious to see this book. It was all I expected! The first third of the book is Italian fashions from most ancient times to Vecellio's own period, which is the period of my persona. In no time at all, I'd found several costumes I want to recreate. The only drawback is the lack of color, but the drawings show considerable details.



3. While this book is fascinating as a means of seeing how dress was perceived, and as a primary resource (as the woodcuts are not modern), the costumer should keep in mind that these drawings are not always accurate, esp. regarding details. Many of the woodcuts have minor mistakes, some are gross misrepresentations of costumes Vecellio had no knowledge of. An interesting resource for the historian, but don't use this for costuming ideas unless you either don't care for accuracy or know enough to sift the false from the true.



4. I bought this book with the expectation that it would cover all of Renaissance Europe and not just the usual area of focus for this subject (i.e. Elizabethan England). However, to my disappointment at least half the book concentrated on Italian costuming, which in retrospect is to be expected, since the author was Italian! The author definitely focuses on middle to upper-class clothing and will not be helpful to someone who may be looking for lower class clothing.

   However, in general, the woodcuts are exquisite and the organization is very easy to use. It is certainly a 'must have' for anyone looking for historical pictures of Renaissance period clothing, written by someone who was a contemporary of the time.

5 comments about The Perfect Fit: What Your Shoes Say About You.

1. Miss Meghan's oeuvre opened my eyes to the real depth of the gap between mine and her generations. She discerns several different "shoe styles" where I can see, at best, a single footwear category, though I would not ascribe to all these sneakers and bowling, running or basketball shoes the attribute "style". On the other hand, where I recognize numerous styles, each available for view in my closet, Miss Meghan can't distinguish more than "high heels". Well, that much for the direction the taste in clothing takes in the young generation. Even more interesting is outlook on life, expressed primarily in the professions Miss Meghan selects for her readers. Positions in the media and marketing dominate the selection. There are few occurrences of the legal occupations, corporate ranks, non-profits, full-time mommies and housewives. There is even a waitress and a lab worker and perhaps a teacher and a fashion designer. What is missing: medical doctors, engineers of all kinds (chemical, electrical, mechanical), technology workers, trades women - not a single lady welder or lady carpenter, for example! - university professors, pilots, military women. Shortly, all the professions important in the life of each society are neglected, with all the marginal and decorative occupations as the recommended careers for the modern woman. Return to Victorian times, shoed in sneakers? After all, those Victorian shoe styles were not glamorous, and after factoring in the difference in manufacturing technology they were more like sneakers or hiking boots than high-heel sandals with ankle straps.



2. Really disappointed to see the stereotypes this author connects to different styles of shoes. She was totally off the mark on several styles I wear, connecting them to personality traits that aren't even close to how I am. Judging by the other reviews I read, this book may just unfortunately reflect what "the masses" assume about certain people who wear certain styles. Sad to say that this book will likely cause wrong impressions and even discrimination against people who wear certain styles by those who read this book and buy into it. Could be a generational thing in that the author makes assumptions that date the book, reflecting a limited age range's view of others. Alarming thing is that readers may give more credence than they realistically should only because of the author's credentials.



3. I went to a showing at Macy's and one of the gifts in the
   giveaway bag was this book "the perfect fit, what your shoes say
   about you"
   on top I got to meet the most charming young lady who wrote the
   book. I got to meet Meghan Cleary! The book is filled with little
   quizzes and with the whole idea is to help you discover your Shoe
   Sun sign and even tells about what you shoes you didn't buy
   says about you!! Its the cutest little book and a great gift for
   anyone who is a bona fide shoe freak! Now who do you know who is
   a shoe freak? Maybe yourself? Want to know why you bought those
   stiletto's when you know you won't be wearing them but just had
   to have them?
   Get today the perfect fit and may you find out what your shoes
   say about you!! I am not saying what mine say about me...
   At least my copy of the book is signed by Meghan herself!



4. Miss Meghan has it together! A must have for anyone who loves shoes or wonders why others love them. I look forward to more from Ms Cleary.



5. This book has great insight. I now look at people's feet when we meet. This book is a really fun read!

No comments about Courreges (Memoirs).

3 comments about The Dress Doctor: Prescriptions for Style, From A to Z.

1. Sure, this book, written in 1959, is a bit dated - then again, would you really expect a book subtitled What to Wear for Every Occasion to stay in style for over 40 years? If Edith Head could see what people wear today, well...she'd surely be reeling in shock. Her advice, after all, comes from a different generation, a more formal era in fashion.
   But fashion tips are really only a small part of the pleasures of this book. What makes it such fun to read is the inimitable style and personality of Edith Head, dressmaker to the stars. She was a true character and thank goodness she lets some of that eccentric genius shine in this book as she discusses her clients, such stars as: Dorothy Lamour...Madeleine Carroll...Mary Martin...Betty Hutton...Veronica Lake...Giner Rogers...Charles Laughton...and more.
   The section entitled What to Wear on Every Occasion is both funny and enlightening to read as Edith Head had clear-cut opinions on the Dos and Don'ts of fashion, even advising women what to wear to such diverse events as Prize Fights, Dog Shows and Garden Parties. Don't pass up a chance to grab a copy of this one!



2. Edith goes into great detail over her trials and tribulations (as well as successes) while working as the Chief Costum Designer at Paramount Pictures and later Universal. Information about Edith's personal life during this time is kept to an extreme minimum, which is unfortunate, but certainly helps to perpetuate the enigmatic personality she worked so hard to create for herself.



3. The story of Edith Head, Hollywood's first major fashion designer for Paramount Studios, is both informative and entertaining. The role she played in shaping not only Hollywood's elite, but everyday women, in modern day apparel as well as individual attitude still applies 50 years later. I highly recommend this book to all who enjoy reading of someone who became someone she never intended to be, and yet enjoy and convey enthusiasm throughout her career to all she encountered.

1 comments about How Fashion Works: Couture, Ready-to-Wear and Mass Production.

1. I thought this book gave a fantastic overview of the fashion industry...essentially a fashion 101 in a very readable, user friendly format. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn about how the industry works, but dosen't have time to take a course.

3 comments about Henry VIII and His Wives (Coloring Book).

1. This book is great, I love it!
   
   In fact it contains 9 paper dolls, since King Henry VIII is shown in different ages. All other queens than Catherine Parr have at least one extra gown. There are several armours for the King. Garments are really detailed, clear and well drawn. Some of the details are actually so tiny, that it would be almost impossible to color them.
   
   Since I want to enjoy this lovely book for many coming years, I have taken copies. If you zoom each page 135% and copy it on A3 sheet you will easily have even more magnificient paperdolls and your pencils can reach the exquisite details of gowns and jewels.
   
   I recommend this coloring book highly for every fashion history enthusiast, recreator, renaissance lover or advanced colorist. I guess it will become one of your treasures!



2. When I saw the paintings of the various Tudors in history books, most of the time the color jobs were so poor you could not see any detail of the clothing. Now, with these wonderful line drawings, you can not only get an idea of what the clothing looked like, but you can color them yourself. Plus, the synopsis of each person's life history sums up the most interesting aspects of that person's life without getting judgemental or too risque for children.



3. I found the book witty and informative and so many levels. THere are very few instances in which I can extrapolate so much from a coloring expeirience. I would highly recoomend this book to anyone with a masters or higher in the areas of coloring or bookdrawing genres.