London: The Cotton Press, 1897. — 91 p.From the dawn of history until the start of the last century discover the history and changing nature of fashion. ’’The Evolution of Fashion’’ is a brief book and is not overly technical. It is easily accessible those for without specific expertise in the area of fashion and a must read for anyone with interest in historical costume.The book begins with the item of clothing that is perhaps considered the cornerstone of fashion ? the dress. Florence May Gardiner briefly explores the history of the dress, tracing its development from Ancient Egypt, to the Greeks and Romans, and through the 12th, 14th, and 16th centuries in Britain. Through descriptions and images, Gardiner highlights the changes over time that lead to the development of modern dresses, circa 1897.The book takes a similar approach to other items of fashion, including headgear, gloves, footwear, bridal costumes, and specialty items such as funeral-wear and fancy costumes. Space is devoted to a brief history of each category of clothing, with each chapter concluding with an examination of the current fashion. Fashion enthusiasts with an appetite for history will certainly enjoy the images and descriptions of the items deemed "en vogue" in the late 1800's, and will likely relish the opportunity to build connections between modern fashion and what is presented within this book.The Dress, b.c. 594 — a.d. 1897
Curious Headgear.
Gloves.
Curious Footgear.
Bridal Costume.
Mourning.
Eccentricities of Masculine Costume.
A Chat about Children and their Clothing.
Fancy Costume of Various Periods.
Stage and Floral Costume.
