Dress and Decoration in the Middle Ages

While written a century and a half ago (written in the 1840's, first published in 1858) this is very readable, interesting and beautifully illustrated. It is an excellent (and very pretty) overview of the period -- useful to the historian and layman alike. It makes a great gift for someone with a budding interest in the Middle Ages / Mediaeval Period (the time between the fall of the Roman Empire and the start of the Renaissance.) Keep an eye out for other books by Henry Shaw as well.