1 comments about An Illustrated History of Hairstyles 1830-1930.

1. Great Book. If you are looking to see "real" hairstyles on "real" folks this is the book for you. There are great photo's and descriptions. If you are involved in a re-enactment society this book is very helpful as to how folks wore their hair during each period and even afew "how to's".

5 comments about Dress Like a Million (On Considerably Less): A Trend-Proof Guide to Real Fashion.

1. This book is great for someone trying to understand the basic structure of fashion or in my case, for someone trying to intelligently by clothing gifts for the women in their lives.



2. This book is so helpful... it is advice i am amazed i have lived without. I have a copy of this one and "Does this make me look fat?" Both incredibly valuable. Of course it is for anyone who desires to dress in a classic style. Highly recommended.



3. The book was a bit old ie some of the information related to fashion in the 1980s and 1990s. That said, the advice provided on style versus fashion remains relevant at any moment in time.
   
   I bought this book because I liked "Does this make me look fat?" by the same author.



4. I am a fan of Feldon's books. I love the interesting fashion "types" in the beginning of her books, for example "Bas Couture." Many of these fashion types are still on streets today. However, the illustrations of pleated pants and mini-skirts (a la Calista Flockhart) are as outdated as the era that the book was written in. Ms. Feldon advocates a classic look, which works for many but can be dull if the wearer doesn't inject personality with accessories, textures or creative use of color. Another drawback is that it doesn't cover dressing for your body shape. For that, you will have to purchase her other book, "Does This Make Me Look Fat?" If you overlook these drawbacks, this book is a fun read and a great way to put together a good look on a budget.



5. Feldon's book will help you to organize your wardrobe and make wiser fashion purchases, but much of her advice is predicated on two assumptions: that everyone looks good in black (not true and boring besides!)and that everyone should/wants to dress like Audrey Hepburn.

No comments about Rita Hayworth Paper Dolls.

No comments about This Is a Pair of Levi's Jeans: The Official History of the Levi's Brand.

5 comments about Vintage Knits: 30 Exquisite Vintage-Inspired Patterns for Cardigans, Twin Sets, Crewnecks and More.

1. As a collector of vintage knitting patterns, I was excited to see what a talented designer would do with classic designs. Quite a lot, is the answer. That said, I do have to agree with some of the criticisms offered in other reviews. This seems to me to be a book for the adventurous knitter who is both willing and able to adapt and individualize patterns to "fine-tune" fit and appearance. I am 5'9" with a 40" bust, and am an experienced knitter. I typically have to adjust size, and usually substitute yarn, color and stitch pattern to meet my size, style and stash reduction needs. This probably is not a book for newer, or less confident knitters who may struggle with these skills. It is a book for knitters who love intricate, polished style, body concious fit and fine technique. I do feel that schematics and charts should have been included to help those knitting the patterns as written and those of us who need to make modifications. Interesting that the Great Britain edition got them and we didn't. I have made 2 sweaters from the book (short-sleeved cardigan with neck tie and Missoni-like wave pattern pullover) and was very pleased with the results. My next project? -a "blouse" from a 1930's era Beeehive yarns manual-written for a size 32" bust with a 32 stitch lace pattern repeat. (Sarah Dallas, I wish that you had gotten to this one first!)



2. I know that this book has been out for a while. But, I'm just waking up to it. There are a few things about this book that really pull it out from the others for me. First, they take old photos from magazines and ads - all the patterns are based off these old photos. So, you get a great feeling for where they are coming from. Second, they have a bit of a modern flair to them. This is wonderful. Lastly, I want to make every single item in this book. It isn't often that I open a book and desire EVERYTHING. But, this is one of them. The patterns range in difficulty and I promise that you will find something in this book to love.



3. The patterns in this book are really lovely, and it's so interesting to see pictures (albeit tiny ones) of the original inspirations from the 1940s and 50s. There are several patterns I would love to knit once I feel comfortable with my knitting skills. This is a book I would probably buy down the road, once I am a more advanced knitter.
   
   I didn't really like how the pictures were all in the front of the book, and the patterns in the back. I'd rather have them side-by-side. Just a small complaint.



4. When I opened this book my first thought was, why did they soft-focus the photography? Pictures should be clear so we know what the garment will look like when we knit it. Next, I was sorry to see that there were no schematics for the patterns. In order to see how fitted a garment is, it is necessary to read the pattern closely, whereas with a schematic you can see at a glance. This is especially needed because the modern photographs show much looser fitting garments than the original photos.
   
   It was not clear to me if the patterns have been modified to make them easier for modern knitters, although I'm guessing they have. Too bad they did not give us the original year of each pattern, because as knitters of vintage patterns we like to know what era we are wearing!
   
   All that aside, I'm looking forward to knitting some of these patterns because they are attractive and look fun to knit.



5. I just recieved this book from Amazon (two days before the earliest estimated delivery!) and I pored through it with the passion of a 1950's child with the Sears Wishbook.
   
   Things I like about this book:
   The patterns are all reasonably authentic in terms of vintage syle, especially if you compare them with the (unfortunately small) inspiration piece photos at the top of each pattern page.
   The pieces look from the patterns (I've not yet knit any of them up) to be largely simple enough to tackle for an advanced/adventurous beginner, although the Tyrolean Cardigan and the Fair Isle patterns seem directed at someone with a more intermediate to advanced skill level. (Then again, a whole Fair Isle piece never seemed like a beginner project to me) The good news is, this means that the book can grow with your skills, instead of some others that wind up on the bottom shelf because of the tediously simple patterns.
   Vintage knits is a book that a twenty three year old rockabilly lady (me) and a 40+ Respiratory Therapist (my mom) can both enjoy. It seems like a lot of the pattern books I find on my Recommendations list can come off as immodest, outlandish, or dowdy. There are markets for each of those categories, but this book has a good combination of fashionability, class, and just plain prettiness that can take the wearer from afternoon business meeting (dress slacks and flats) to evening out (pencil skirt and kitten heels), as well as from college dress up into job market friendly.
   
   Why this book didn't get 5 stars:
   The size range. Perhaps some of the styles are, shall we say, ill suited to the more voluptuous wearers, but in the same breath I am going to have to adapt some of the patterns to fit my appropriately voluptuous mother. (Just because you have two children shouldn't preclude you from having a fantastic wardrobe) Also, as was mentioned by another reviewer, it is more common for the modern woman to take on more Amazonian proportions in height and bust size. If my grandmothers can be any indication, the ladies the original patterns were designed for were TEENY.
   As other reviewers have noted, the suggested yarns are not the least expensive out there, and I can accept that for the "higher end" feeling designs. However, the detail information for the yarns, such as weight, yardage, and fiber content is completely absent, making it very difficult to substitute yarns, or to find a replacement for yarn that may be discontinued in the future. For me, this is a nearly must have feature. I will be making handwritten notes in the margins about the yarn details so that I have the information later on.
   
   All said and done, I look forward to making almost all of the patterns in this book, some of them (like the twin set) in several colors! I consider Vintage Knits, in spite of its flaws, to be a good recommendation for "advanced beginner" level and up knitters who are rather slender and enjoy feminine, vintage style.

4 comments about Mad About Bags.

1. Wonderful little book. My daughter loved it. She is a purseaholic. Thank you for quick delivery.



2. Mad About Bags...But not about this book. Could have been so much more.



3. Lots of photos but does not really give any specifics about what distinguishes that particular bags. I would like to see better details so I could use the book as a guide to determine counterfeits. There are better handbag books on the market.



4. This little book is only 64 pages long so don't expect too much information in it. Emma Bowd has provided quite a brief text to accompany each section and she doesn't go into any great detail. There are some nice photographs, but again, not a huge amount, certainly not enough to make you want to keep looking for long. This may be ok as a little stocking filler for a handbag mad friend but for anyone wanting serious information on handbags and/or gorgeous photo's, there are much better books available.

1 comments about The Fashion of Architecture.

1. Is extremely modern, the information is convincing and the point of view of the book is futuristic.
   I recommend this book to anybody within the fashion or architecture industry

No comments about Toys for Girls: If Women Didn't Exist, All the Money of the World Would Have No Meaning.

3 comments about 1920s Fashions from B. Altman & Company.

1. This is yet another book that has wonderful illustrations and information about 1920s fashion. I recommend it to anyone who is interested in this pivotal decade in fashion.



2. "1920s Fashions from B. Altman & Company" provides over 700 black & white illustrations, detailed descriptions, and prices for clothing for the upper class of the Jazz Age. The focus is primarily on women's clothing and accessories, with everything from sophisticated evening wear to bathing suits, but you will also find a complete array of clothing for men and children as well. Please remember, because they buy directly from the manufacturer, "thus eliminating the no inconsiderable profits of the middleman," B. Altman & Company are able to offer patrons the benefit of the savings. This is a superb record of the styles worn by flappers in the Roaring Twenties; note than this is not simply the reproduction of a catalog from a particular year, but has fashion culled from the B. Altman catalogs of the entire decade. Interesting Footnote: The B. Altman & Company Department Store is now the New York Public Library Science, Industry & Business Library. Dover also has a reprint edition of "Altman's Spring and Summer Fashions Catalog, 1915," which records the fashions worn in the United States in the years before the First World War. This volume will be of interest to the fashion historian and of great use to costume designers working with this period of American History.



3. This is a lovely book of a wide variety of catalog drawings and photos from the B. Altman Company which carried higher quality items as compared to the Sears catalog books. There are men's and women's clothes and childrens clothes, hats, undergarments, stockings, shoes...A real treat if you are interested in what the upper middle class might have worn. And everything progresses by the year, so you can see how the fashions developed.

5 comments about Tudor Costume and Fashion.

1. I love the Tudor era, its clothing most of all. Herbert Norris's book comes in handy in helping me visualize the characters whenever I read one of the Tudor-themed historical novels that I have. The only drawback is how the information is arranged, but that's a minor complaint. Norris had so much data that I don't think he could have organized it any other way.



2. It is great book to learn more about Tudor era clothing. You are able to learn the details of the costumes that is wore in Tudor era. Learn more about Tudor fashion. Good to make some copy clothing to attend Renaissance Festival. Help me to design some tudor costumes for some party or for halloween or for Renaissance Festival.



3. One of the bibles of Tudor Era costuming! Lots of detail and research went into this book. The only problem is the organization could have been a little clearer. But I can overlook that due to all the wonderful infomation included.



4. I bought this book as a christmas present but I am sure she will love it since she asked for it.



5. great book. detailed descriptions of clothes, accessories and court day-life related objects such as chariots. And it has a small biography of the tudor kings as well.