Whether you're a collector, fashion historian, costume designer, or dancer, you'll delight in this story of vintage clothing that swings to the beat of a blue note or eight-to-the-bar. Come on a pictorial tour of groovy threads from the 1930s through the 1950s. Jump into the mid-1930s, when swing was launched as a national dance fad, with jewel-tone satins and sunny printed cottons. Dozens of original color photos share top billing with hundreds of vintage ads and sketches. This lively book includes thumbnail bios of the musical artists who made it happen, from Basin Street to Harlem and Southside Chicago, plus a valuation guide, a resource directory, a glossary of music and fashion terms, and even tips on creating your own vintage look.

Hats represent an art form that is opening up new vistas for the vintage clothing collector. For the authors hats are a visual treat, and they have crafted a book that is chuck-full of some of the sweetest you'll ever see. This carefully researched book profiles important American and European milliners, and lists the most desirable designer and salon labels. It offers special sections with tips on dating, valuation, and storing and decoration. 500 vivid photos are beautifully styled and enhanced by lively and informative captions. Many period advertisements and illustrations from popular magazines depict the styles and moods of the times.

High fashion clothing designers from California produced stunning wardrobes for Hollywood stars that were trend-setting styles in the mid-20th century. Adrian, Irene, Helen Rose, Jean Louis, and William Travilla trained in the costume departments of the movie studios before they opened their own salons. Others, such as James Galanos, Rudi Gernreich, and Adolf Schuman (who founded the Lilli Ann company) chose to work their fashion magic in California. Both groups made original styles that influenced fashion around the world. Here hundreds of color photos present clothing designed by these giants of the industry that is still available to today's collectors. A helpful price guide is included to aid collectors and costumers alike. Live models and vintage photographs, original designer sketches and advertisements show the originality and diversity of these American fashions that became immediately popular in the ready-to-wear market.

Explore women's shoes as a powerful talisman of fashion, culture, and sexual energy. With 500 original color photographs, and two dozen vintage illustrations, this book tells the real story of Hot Shoes: One Hundred Years. These are the shoes real women wore, and loved enough to save. You'll see designer shoes by the likes of David Evins and Palter De Liso, who were influenced by haute couture but marketed to the upper middle-class. Since this is a book for collectors, you'll find a true cross-section of shoe design. There are coquettish pumps from the French Room at Chandler's, jeweled platforms by Frank More of San Francisco, and early canvas high-button shoes by Keds. Each photo caption includes a value range, and each photo is lavishly styled, in the same manner as the author's previous book from Schiffer Publishing: Collectible Women's Hats of the 20th Century.

Casual clothing, swimwear in particular, is strongly associated with the California lifestyle, and the design and manufacture of casual clothing has long been the foundation of California's garment industry. This book explores that industry as it developed in California from the 1930s through the 1970s, with emphasis on clothing and textile designs suffused with the sunshine spirit. Included are fashions from major swimwear companies such as Catalina, Cole, and Rose Marie Reid; sportswear from leaders like Koret and Alice of California; and a wonderful chapter paying tribute to that most western of fabrics, blue denim. More than 330 photographs and advertisements illustrate the colorful, cheerful, and charming nature of vintage casual clothing. Collectors, designers, and fashion historians will appreciate the profiles of California artisans and their influence on fabric technology. Includes price guide and a helpful glossary of fashion and fabric terminology.