Mimi MatthewsA Victorian Lady's Guide to Fashion and Beauty

This is both well written and well researched. Definatly worth buying if you have any interest in Women's Fashion in the 1800s!

Ho acquistato questo libro per soddisfare la mia curiosità in materia, ammetto di non averlo ancora finito ma è molto dettagliato nelle descrizioni…forse avrei preferito un’edizione tradotta in italiano e le illustrazioni colorate ma personalmente non penso siano difetti…leggere in inglese può aiutare con la lingua e le illustrazioni in b/n servono a farsi un’idea sul testo che si legge. Sono contento dell’acquisto!

Reading this book has given me even more fodder for my imagination when reading Victorian novels, I can actually visualize what they are wearing etc. Find it very interesting!

When I bought this book, I knew just a few things about Victorian clothing and costuming... mostly from John Peacock's book, "Costume 1066 - 1990s" (a newer version probably exists).I'd also read some Godey's Lady's magazines, and - of course - I've watched shows set in the Victorian era."A Victorian Lady's Guide" fills in ALL the gaps.It's a high-quality book printed on almost-glossy paper, so you can see the details in the many (mostly b&w) illustrations from actual Victorian publications.This book is organized into three parts. The first takes you through the Victorian era, decade by decade. It includes specific details of clothing, jewelry, and general appearance down to the smallest details.Then you'll learn about dressing for every occasion, every season, and things like riding habits and wedding attire, maternity clothes, and so on.The third section provides almost excruciating details about haircare, skin care, and so on.Whether you're portraying the Victorian era in a book, in art, on the stage, or as a re-enactment, get your hands on this book. Ms. Matthews writes beautifully, with style and wit, and includes topics that had never crossed my mind... but now I'm glad I know about them.Fascinating!

What a highly entertaining and informative book on Victorian fashion and beauty! As much fun as it is to read about and look at pictures of the fashions from this era, I cannot help but be grateful that I live in present times. I hate wearing hats and gloves. My 30 inch waist would be crushed into a corset. The skirts of the early 1860’s required more fabric than it took for me to have my living room sofa reupholstered last spring! Although I must say, the Victorians never had to see people in their pajamas at airports and grocery stores! It’s seems that Empress Eugenie was the Victorian version of Kim Kardashian. Everyone looked to her and wanted to copy her fashion. My particular favorite period for fashion was the natural form era (1877-82). That and the tea gowns of the late 1870’s. Oddly enough though, I was surprised to learn that my penchant for wearing Italian intaglio jewelry was a popular trend in the 1880’s as well. I guess that everything comes back around eventually. The beauty section was informative too. I especially liked the raw meat masks that women wore at night. We can laugh all we want now but is it all that different from women today getting vampire facials? I can’t even laugh about the absurdities of their hair styles because I grew up in the eighties (shudder!). Overall, this was a highly enjoyable read that I heartily recommend purchasing in print form to better appreciate the illustrations.