The Mode in Costume

This book is amazing, thorough and in depth enough for anyone studying costume design. i recently started studying and my history of costume lecturer swears by this book and insisted everyone buy it. It took a while in the post but was definately worth the wait

I grew up with this book and I adore it. I've yet to find anything even CLOSE to this book- it's amazing. There are clear line drawings, four to a page, for each fashion cycle- sometimes as little as 5 years, sometimes a thousand years apart. The shifts and transformation in styles are made clear, and the notes about what colors, fabrics, and cuts were popular are amazing. This is THE ULTIMATE guide to historical fashion and if it's not reprinted, it's a damn shame.

NOTHING beats Wilcox's various costume books. They are invaluable references for designers, costumers, teachers and historians. I wish they would reprint them again. I constantly recommend them, especially THE MODE IN COSTUME. And the clear simple line drawings copy and scan better than any others I have ever come across. I would LOVE a digital version of this book.

This is an excellent reference for all costumers. There are extensive pictures of garmets, hairstyles, shoes, and textile patterns for every period from early Byzantium to at least the 40's. Although it is (currently) out of print, seek it out at your library or bookstore till they bring it back!