In this book about the "best-dressed country in Europe," read how the clothes and fabrics found in Italy are coveted worldwide and how the Roman Catholic Church has influenced clothing and culture in Italy.

Focusing on the Elizabethan era in England, a period from about 1550 to 1603, this title shows various examples of the fascinating clothing worn by everyone from the noblemen and middle classes to the countryfolk and military men. England during the time of Queen Elizabeth I is well-known to students as the time of Shakespeare's plays and other courtly drama. Photographs and illustrations from popular plays and movies show vivid examples of Elizabethan dress, which will assist students who are studying the common costumes and accessories of the time.Chapters include:

When people think about en vogue fashion, many think of France. This country's rich cultural heritage has often expressed itself through chic fashions for any occasion. This book lets you learn what men and women in France wear for work and relaxation.

Discover what kind of clothes people wear in Spain, from celebrating fiestas to relaxing during siestas. From the wintry mountain peaks to the lush valleys to the windswept shores, find out how Spain's residents dress in these different regions for celebrations and for relaxation.

Completely revised in full-color, ""Fashions of a Decade: The 1930s"" examines the role of fashion as it made its way through the Great Depression, exploring the social and cultural aspects of history through a softer lens. Cheaper fabrics that imitated luxury items such as nylon and artificial silks became popular, along with clothing that featured a more muted palette and longer, more flowing lines. Such Hollywood icons as Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers set the mood for idealized glamour, as did the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, as they pushed the bounds of fashion to a newer height, changing history forever.

Fashions of a Decade: The 1980s explores the enthralling history of fashion as it recreated itself through the popular trends of the eighties. From the designer suits of yuppie men and women to ripped jeans to the mini-crinoline craze to the eloquent fashion sense of Princess Diana, the 1980s encapsulates a time when it became fashionable to make money and dress well. This revised, full-color volume provides fashion and history lovers alike with a closer look at an important period of clothing history.

Fashions of a Decade: The 1940s traces the mobilization of clothing trends as they marched across the war-ravaged world. Women began wearing outfits featuring wide, padded shoulders, a narrow waistline, thin hips, and a skirt that fell just below the knee, much in the image of a soldier's uniform, while men sported clothing shaped like an inverted triangle from shoulder to waist. Heavy shoes provided a counterbalance for both men and women, and hats remained popular; however, scarves for women began to replace the traditional head-covering. This revised, full-color volume offers a detailed reflection on the role fashion has played throughout this time period, and is a perfect reference for those students or general readers who are interested in how history and culture has affected fashion through the years.