Mary

Far beyond your typical book on dress

Revisado: 04-26-24

Another listener disliked the vocalist for this book, and some found it repetitive. I thought the vocalist was excellent with a great reading rhythm that added to my comprehension. Did not detract. There are theses that the author repeats, but each is connected to a nuanced and worthy example to include.

This book is especially good at viewing fashion through multiple influences and emphasizing the right ones in different eras— many books are stuck in a rut of common explanations for why dress changes (eg discovered tailoring, Queen Elizabeth, elastic, WWI). This book is far more convincing and doesn’t just tell you stupid stuff like “well everyone wanted to look like the queen” or “decorative skirts showed high class” without ever explaining why suddenly no one cared to look like a queen later, or decorations fell out of favor.

This book really presents cohesive reasons that are much more believable and in depth. His discussion of how and why menswear dramatically changed in the great male renunciation in the 1700s is an absolute standout. Also if you need any more reasons to listen now — the author uses the law as a rich source of information and it delivers. Many books on dressing relegate sumptuary laws to the mid 1500s as basically a hilarious absurdity to poke at. This book gives law its due respect and really discusses the truth — that for many periods of time western civilizations have enacted dress codes by law. That national uniform was a seriously discussed and at times enacted concept. That dress codes have been enforced against many kinds of professions and people in reaction to social changes. It’s absolutely fascinating and presented in an interesting and unbiased way. The author passes little judgement on society, but explains well the forces behind our clothes. Loved this book.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona