Shoes have come a long way in the thousands of years since primitive man first donned bark and animal skins. Originally used to protect feet from harsh temperatures and rough land, shoes have evolved into an article of high fashion and style, a sartorial reflection of class, rank, and wealth. Take a stroll through history with this carefully researched, lavishly illustrated survey of footwear by R. Turner Wilcox, the fashion editor of "Women's Wear Daily" from 1910 through 1915.
What did Tutankhamen's burial sandals look like? What shoes were the height of fashion in Paris at the turn of the century? The answers are all inside, along with hundreds of meticulously detailed images of every type of footwear imaginable: papyrus sandals from ancient Egypt, Chinese silk wedges for binding the feet, high wooden clogs for navigating muddy streets, English cavalier boots finished with rosettes and buckle trim, French taffeta dancing shoes, satin-and-lace boudoir slippers, kiltie golf brogues, jodhpur boots, American saddle oxfords, and so much more. Spanning centuries of styles from simply practical to distinctively dazzling, "The Mode in Footwear" is a true find for fashion editors, illustrators, costume designers, and shoe lovers of every kind.

A year after""R. Turner Wilcox received rave reviews for her ultimate fashion reference, "The Mode in Costume, "she decided to zero in on one chic category to give it the close-up it deserved. The result is this extraordinary handbook that covers the worldwide evolution of almost five thousand years of hats, hairstyles, and headdress for both sexes. Since ancient times, men and women have used hats and headgear for everything from adornment and protection to establishing their rank in society. With hundreds of illustrations and fascinating text, this comprehensive survey extends from 3000 B.C. to mid-twentieth century.
The showcase depicts an astonishing range of women's styles -- Egyptian headdresses, Spanish mantillas, French straw sailor hats, buckle-trimmed tam-o-shanters, wedding veils, bonnets, snoods, and jeweled crowns. Men's headwear includes feather-trimmed turbans, soldiers' helmets, cowboy hats and top hats, derbies and boaters, berets, sombreros, and Homburgs. Hairstyles run the gamut as well: ringlets, topknots, and spit curls, ponytails, pageboys, and poodle cuts, as well as pompadours, mutton chops, and crew cuts. With delightful details on jewelry, cosmetics, and beauty treatments, this is a unique reference that fashion designers, stylists, and historians will treasure.

Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.

Nearly 700 detailed drawings of fur garments range from their practical use in cold climates to their display as status symbols. Chronological entries include introductions for each era. Glossary.

The pursuit of style has prompted centuries of dramatic change in fashion--and author R. Turner Wilcox researched and documented it all in this completely comprehensive volume. A lifelong student of history, costume, and design, she observed decades of fashion innovations from major cities all over the world and served as fashion editor of "Women's Wear Daily" from 1910 to 1915. Her remarkable "Mode "series is a definitive reference for anyone with a passion for fashion. From the togas of ancient Rome to the gorgeous gowns of Dior, this lavishly illustrated, thoroughly researched treasury examines men's, women's, and children's clothing -- plus accessories -- from 3000 B.C. to 1958. Based on medals, coins, sculpture, and decorations of various periods, the images include ancient Egyptian tunics, Chinese silks, Greek sandals, Roman bridal gowns, Persian parasols and fans, Victorian top hats and cravats, Renaissance lace, Venetian breeches, crinolines and bustles, fedoras and homburgs, as well as perfumes, hairstyles, and handbags. A gathering of some of the most distinctive and dramatic styles through the ages, "The Mode in Costume" is an essential handbook for illustrators, costume designers, and theater students -- and compulsory reading for fashionistas.

A treasury of ethnic dress, this book ranges from the Amish of Pennsylvania to the Zulu of South Africa. Alphabetical entries cover more than 150 countries and regions, each represented by six or more illustrations. The survey covers not only all countries in which native dress is still worn but also those in which traditional garb appears only on festive occasions.
Six hundred drawings by the author include images of men, women, and children and show details of characteristic decorative motifs and accessories. Captions on facing pages describe the costumes and their associated traditions. A valuable resource for designers, teachers, students, and researchers, this volume will fascinate everyone with an interest in the customs, designs, fabrics, and colors of international dress.