Lawrence Public Library

Corsets and codpieces, a history of outrageous fashion, from Roman times to the modern era, by Karen Bowman

eng

Includes bibliographical references (pages 160-161) and index

illustrations

index present

non fiction

Corsets and codpieces

bibliography

936533577

by Karen Bowman

a history of outrageous fashion, from Roman times to the modern era

Have you ever wondered why we wear the type of clothes we do? Packed with outlandish outfits, this exciting history of British fashion trends reveals the flamboyant fashions adopted (and discarded) by our ancestors. In the days before cosmetic surgery, people used bum rolls and bombastic breeches to augment their figures; painted their faces with poisonous concoctions; and doused themselves with scent to cover body odour. Take a fresh look at history's hidden fashion disasters and discover the stories behind historical garments: * How removing a Medieval woman's headdress could reveal her as a harlot * Why Tudor men traded in their over-sized codpieces for corsets * The ridiculous roof-raising results of four-foot high Georgian headgear * How the crinoline caused a spate of shoplifting among Victorian ladies Karen Bowman charts our sartorial history from the animal skins first used to cover our modesty and show off hunting skills, right up to the 20th century drive for practicality and comfort

Introduction -- Short skirts, long beards -- Modest medieval -- Ruffs and hose -- Drums and wheels -- Sumptuous Stuarts -- Gorgeous Georgians -- False calves and rising moons -- Death by crinoline -- Bustles -- La belle époque -- The roaring twenties -- Abominable trousers and rationed fashion -- Cinches and pinches: a brave new world? -- Conclusion

Corsets & codpieces