A record of who wore what fabric, and when they wore it, from royalty to the very poor, including uses, contemporary opinions, technical information, and the occasional definition, this book covers fabric in English fashion from 1795 to 1836, technically the Directoire, Empire, Regency and Romantic eras. It also covers many French fabric terms as recorded by the English. At the beginning of this period, fashion very rapidly changed from the stiff Georgian styles into the soft and flowing Directoire dresses, somewhat imitating ancient Greek clothing. The fabrics they used changed accordingly. What was fashionable with the upper class one year might be considered far too common the next, when the middle class was able to buy it. Machine-made lace became popular during these decades, fashionable at first, but becoming less and less expensive. Many lace makers were put out of work before handmade lace became fashionable - and extremely costly - again. Some materials were considered appropriate only for the working poor. And the cheapest, roughest, worst-woven fabrics were deemed suitable for poor house inhabitants and slaves. Intended for the use of costume historians, Regency dance enthusiasts and re-enactors, literary scholars, historical writers and history buffs, anyone who has questions about fabric from 1795 to 1836 will find answers in these pages.

When I decided to create a new bathing suit pattern, I searched for a modern book documenting Victorian bathing suits. To my surprise, I couldn't find one. Yet I had quite a few period magazines with engravings of bathing dresses in my collection. While I was doing more research, I fell in love with the traditions and ethics surrounding American, English, and French bathing. This book focuses on the culture of swimming and sea bathing across the decades, and on women's bathing suits, noting their styles, variations, and evolution, all quoted from the original writers of that time. For your enjoyment, I've included descriptions and engravings of men's and children's suits when I could find them, but their clothing was not as well documented as the ladies' dresses. The culture and proper dress of bathing changed radically during Queen Victoria's reign, led, of course, by the French. The accepted ladies' one-piece bathing gown gave way to the two-piece bathing suit, and bathing went from a medical treatment to a social event. Even the French bathing dress was not admired in its early days. It was plain, usually black, and, at best, boring. But once fashion got hold of the bathing suit, the dress evolved rapidly. By 1870, many bathing suits were downright gorgeous. Fashion magazines began to include descriptions and engravings on a regular basis, vying to provide the most up-to-date styles. Bathing went from a quick, unpleasant dip in the ocean to true enjoyment, and even swimming became popular. Victorian Bathing and Bathing Suits has over 125 period illustrations. It is intended for costume historians, bathing enthusiasts, Victorian re-enactors, historical writers and history buffs.