The Dress of the People: Everyday Fashion in Eighteenth-Century England Hardcover – 30 Nov. 2007

Absolutely brilliant book for those looking for more insight into the social background, materials and styles likely to be worn the ordinary people in Britain in the 18th century. The lower classes is often a subject which is neglected in the studies of 'fashion' through the ages, but this book paints the most vivid picture I have seen yet, and is a valuable resource for anyone requiring more detail about the fabrics used and available to the less well off, especially useful for reconstruction purposes. Using excellent primary sources (with good appendices detailing the findings as tables) and plenty of quality illustrations, including that of many textiles from private sources and the Foundling Museum, this book will provide the social and material history background for anyone who needs to reconstruct accurate common-place garments for this period, as well as being a great read for those who are simply interested in the era. Superb book and a must for the bookshelves of those interested in clothing for ordinary people of the C18th.

For those who want to know about how common people dressed in the 18th century: look no further than this book. Absolutely every aspect of the way English plebein people dressed is covered.However, one runs the risk of thinking everyone stole clothing (it's amazing how much clothing is stolen, pawned or burnt over the course of the book). Also, after a while it becomes rather tiring to read, once again, that even poor people from the Northern counties didn't weave and made up their own clothes; or that commoners kept using linen for their shirts and shirts and didn't use cotton till the 19th century. Things like that are repeated in every single chapter. *sigh*Excellent study if this is what you need (probably the only comprehensive study of the subject), but just a tad too much repetition. I got it the first time round, no need to keep rubbing it in.

Bought as a present, they were thrilled with the book.

As someone with a keen interest in historical costume and fashions, when I heard about this book I knew I had to buy it as most of my references relate to American Costumes. I am not disappointed, this is an amazing resource.

This book immediately became a resident on my "instant grab shelf" by my computer as I write 18th century fiction. It's interesting, entertaining, and well-researched, with excellent and numerous illustrations, and has been an invaluable guide. I'll be looking for other books by this author!

High speed service, thanks very much. And the book is just what I hoped for.

A wonderfully well-written and inspiring book.

What did ordinary working people wear in the past? It is a fascinating question, given that we have no treasured relics to look at in museums. This is a serious book that used the methodologies of archival research - looking at inventories after fires, criminal cases, diaries and pauper institutions - to give some answers. The short answer is that clothes were brighter than we might imagine (lots of purple and white gowns) and serious objects to aspire and save for. Kerchiefs were never missing from a woman's neck and men loved a spotted kerchief too, around their necks. A decent suit of clothes, so crucial as an indicator of rank, was worth the sacrifice of many years. A brilliant chapter on timepieces reveals that a pocketwatch was the 'must have' equivalent of today's iphone - treasured, saved for, and yet often disappointing in its poor timekeeping. Whilst not a light read, this book is invaluable for historical writers who want to get their working characters out of 'drab' fabrics and showing some pride in their well-turned out, multi-coloured appearance