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A History of Fashion / by J. Anderson Black and Madge Garland / ***

An excellent (although hard to find) book that goes nicely through the fashion eras with detailed and very intelligent notes. Includes some neat drawings on wrapping Roman togas and Egyptian dress - very cool!

The Artful Ribbon: Beauties In Bloom / by Candace Kling / ***

For anyone interested in making flowers of all shapes, sizes and colors, this book will be a real treat. Step by step instructions make it simple and fun. And absolutely beautiful book!

The Art of Dress: Clothes and Society, 1500-1914 / by Jane Ashelford / ****

A great resource for anyone interested in fashion. Ms. Ashelford's notes on each era are neat because she consistently quotes from people who actually lived in those eras (such as Jane Austen). Gorgeous color photos of original gowns and drawing galore make this book a treat!

B

The Best of Charles Dana Gibson / by Charles Dana Gibson / ****

Although not meant to be a "costume" book, you can certainly grasp a lot of inspiration from Gibson's elegant Victorian/Edwardian beauties in their lovely period apparel - I certainly did. Some of the illustrations are hilarious and this book includes the complete adventures of Mr. Pip, who will have you in hysterics.

Bridal Couture / by Susan Khalje / ***

Learn lots of helpful tips for sewing evening (particularly bridal) wear. Full of gorgeous inspirational photos and step by step instructions, this book is perfect for anyone interested in bridal sewing.

C

The Chronicle of Western Fashion: From Ancient Times to the Present Day / by Joan Peacock / **

An entirely pictorial history of fashion from ancient times until the 80s, this book is great for those who like to watch how fashion changes and evolves from year to year.

The Complete Book of Home Millinery / by Wanda Summers Collins / ****

This book is out of print (it was published in the 50s - unless my memory is failing, which could be true :) but is a great step by step source to beginning hat making. Those who have a hard time visualizing things in their heads may not get it all, but for those who have lots of courage, a good head on their shoulders, and are dying to start, check this book out!

Costume In Detail: 1730-1930 / by Nancy Bradfield / *****

This book is absolutely indespensible for the detailed fashion historian! It features hundreds of drawings of original garments, each seam and detail is visible, including the interior of each garment, revealing things not usually seen. Detailed notes enhance this collectors item.

Costume Through the Ages / by Erhard Klepper / **

A great way to look at costume through the ages. The drawings are very detailed and include good hairstyle close-ups as well.

Costuming Made Easy / by Barb Rogers / ***

For the costumer without lots of cash, this book gives great ideas and opens a whole new world of creativity!

D

Dollmaking With Paper Maché and Paper Clay / by Doris Rockwell Gottily / ***

An excellant book on dollmaking. If you've always wanted to try it, then this is the book for you. I've followed some of the instructions, and although I've moved on to other things, I found them very simple as well as detailed and hope to dig into this area again in the near future!

Dressed For the Occasion: What Americans Wore 1620-1970 / by Brandon Marie Miller / ***

A nice quick review of men and women's clothing of the past couple centuries. Prejudice against hoops and corsets, but none the less interesting.

Design Your Own Dress Patterns / by Adele P. Margolis / *****

The ultimate guide for pattern makers, this book will tell you EVERYTHING you need to know about making your own patterns. This book is out of print and hard to find, but well worth the effort!

E

Everyday Fashions of the Twenties as Pictured in Sears and Other Catalogs / edited by Stella Blum / *****

Have you ever wondered what the average woman actually wore? These books display the truth with pages from actual catalogs that the everyday woman ordered from. These books are indispensable!

Everyday Fashions of the Thirties as Pictured in Sears Catalog s / edited by Stella Blum / *****

Have you ever wondered what the average woman actually wore? These books display the truth with pages from actual catalogs that the everyday woman ordered from. These books are indispensable!

Everyday Fashions of the Forties as Pictured in Sears Catalogs / edited by JoAnne Olian / *****

Have you ever wondered what the average woman actually wore? These books display the truth with pages from actual catalogs that the everyday woman ordered from. These books are indispensable!

Everyday Fashions of the Fifties: As Pictured in Sears Catalogs / edited by JoAnne Olian / *****

Have you ever wondered what the average woman actually wore? These books display the truth with pages from actual catalogs that the everyday woman ordered from. These books are indispensable!

The Evolution of Fashion: Pattern and Cut from 1066 to 1930 / by Margot Hamilton Hill and Peter A. Bucknell / ***

This book is filled with fashion plates and patterns from the different eras. While the patterns look like they'd be tough to scale up, the text is very interesting and the whole book is worth a preview.

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Fashion a la Mode: The Pop-Up History of Costumes and Dresses / by Isabelle D. Borchgrave / *

This is not a detailed textbook for the historic attire nut. Rather, this is a feast for the eyes, a very beautiful and creative pop-up book, that makes a great way of introducing people to historical fashion. Also includes brief notes on each period covered.

Fashions and Costumes from Godey's Lady's Book / edited by Stella Blum / **

Gorgeous fashion plates from the Civil War Era - in full color! Highly drool worthy! For fans of this era, you'll love it!

Fashion in Costume: 1200 - 2000 / by Joan Nunn / **

Small black and white illustarions and informative text make this book interesting, but not incredible. A bit on the dull side.

Fashion in Photographs: 1920-1940 / by Elizabeth Owen / ****

I love books that have pictures of real people from the past, wearing the clothing the way it was. For those who love the flapper/retro era, this is the book for you! An excellent source for the vintage historian!

Fashion Sewing for Everyone / by Adele P. Margolis / ****

A great companion to Ms. Margolis' pattern making book, this volume covers all the basics of sewing from straight seams to zippers, as well as all the tricks you need to know. Although Ms. Margolis' books are out of print and difficult to find, I suggest you try your hardest to pick them up. Excellent!

Full Color Victorian Fashions 1870-1893 / edited by JoAnne Olian / **

For the Victorian enthusiast who likes to have fainting spells over fashion plates, this is for you!

G

The Gibson Girl and Her America / by Charles Dana Gibson / ****

Although not meant to be a "costume" book, you can certainly grasp a lot of inspiration from Gibson's elegant Victorian/Edwardian beauties in their lovely period apparel - I certainly did. Not to mention that some of the drawings tell stories that will have you laughing out loud!

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Hats In Miniature / by Lyn Waring / **

A wonderfully detailed book on making mini hats. Great for tiny dolls or just as a cute decoration.

Hats In VOGUE Since 1910 / by Christina Probert / **

This books shows how hats changed throughout the last century. With a section on each decade, it explores the different styles of hats as well as the attitudes behind them.

Historic Costume For the Stage / by Lucy Barton / **

A big fat book with small illustrations and extensive descriptions of the dress in each era. This book is like an encyclopedia! It was a tad too much for me, though. :)

Historic Costume In Pictures / Braun & Schneider / **

Another great look at costume. The black and white plates are well detailed and inspiring.

Historical Fashion In Detail From the 17th and 18th Centuries / by Avril Hart and Susan North / ***

Do you want fashion in detail? Get this book! If you want to be simply overpowered, read this. Looking at the thousands of stitches, tucks, and gathers, is enough to make the most experienced seamstress feel insignificant.

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The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Costume and Fashion: from 1066 to the present / by Jack Cassin - Scott / *

This book goes through the different fashion eras with detailed illustrations and short descriptions. Interesting, but not the greatest book I've ever discovered.

Instant Period Costumes / by Barb Rogers / ***

Want a costume but don't have lots of time or money? No problem! This book offers practical ideas to create a gorgeous wardrobe.

Make Your Own Southern Belle Cloth Doll and Her Wardrobe / by Claire Bryant / ***

This book will take you on a delightful journey to make your own adorable southern belle doll. Includes sweet summaries on each doll, and her particular personality. I have used this book to make a doll, with very cute results.

P

Patterns for Theatrical Costumes: Garments, Trims, and Accessories / by Katherine Strand Holkeboer / **

This book has illustrations from the different eras shown, as well as patterns. While not the greatest book for info and patterns, it is nonetheless interesting

Patterns of Fashion (1500-1660) / by Janet Arnold / ****

The ultimate fashion book for this era, scaled patterns are included. If you like the Elizabethan or Baroque era, don't go any farther!

Period Costume For Stage And Screen (1500-1800) / by Jean Hunnisett / *****

One of the best historical fashion and costuming authors, Jean Hunnisett gives tons of scaled patterns and an excellent view on fashions of the years.

Period Costume For Stage And Screen (1800-1910) / by Jean Hunnisett / *****

One of the absolute best fashion books ever, this book will get you hooked on historical costuming. Includes excellent corset coverage!

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Stage Costume Step By Step / by Mary T. Kidd / ****

If you are going to do costumes for a play, or even for your own personal use, this book is indespensible! It breaks down the basic shapes of clothing and walks you through their creation, step by step.

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Victoria: The Romance of Hats / by Victoria Magazine / ****

An absolutely scrumptious book to look through, this is a feast for the eyes. Although it doesn't cover actual hat making, it explores different modern hat maker's lives, style of hats, and inspiration. This book is a delight to read. As it says inside, "A hat is a woman's invitation to become a poet.."

Victorian and Edwardian Fashions for Women 1840-1919 / by Kristina Harris / *****

This is one of my personal favorites. All the original dresses are photographed on live models and the appeal is unbelievable! And Ms. Harris is one of the few who doesn't act negative about women's clothes and place in society in the Victorian and Edwardian eras! YES!

Victorian to Vamp: Women's Clothing 1900-1929 / by Paula Jean Darnell / ****

A fascinating book that is very informative and easy to read, I like this a lot. The only thing is that Ms. Darnell treats the rebellion of the 20's in a positive light, as if those stuck-up Victorian Tightlacers finally got over their stupidity. Ugh!

Vintage Fashions for Women: 1920s-1940s / by Kristina Harris / *****

Ms. Harris has done it again! Gorgeous photographs of vintage clothes on modern women and engaging text make this book incredible. I don't always agree with the author on how she sees the rebellion of the twenties, but she handles it very well, which is a breath of fresh air. 1920-40s fashion fans, take a look at this!

Vintage Fashions for Women: The 1950s and 60s / by Kristina Harris / *****

Another treasure by Ms. Harris, this book is every bit as informative and lively as the first two. The clothes of the 50s may thrill you, or the clothes of the 60s may drive you nuts (as with me), but everyone who has once been interested in this revolutionary fashion era will find this book a delight!

Vintage Wedding: Simple Ideas for Creating a Romantic Vintage Wedding / by Daniela Turudich / ***

This book takes you from the early 1900s through the 1950s and studies each decade's traditions, from bouquets to brides. Although not as informative and interesting as Your Vintage Wedding, it's still is worth a look.

W

What Clothes Reveal: The Language of Clothing in Colonial and Federal America / by Linda Baumgarten / ***

With intruiging and informative text and brilliant photographs of original garments from The Colonial Williamsburg Collection, this book will be a treasure to all who love the Georgian era. I would have given this 4 stars if it weren't for the fact that books with lots of text are less enjoyable to me - they require too much attention... :)

Women's Fashions of the Early 1900s: An Unabridged Republication of New York Fashions, 1909 / National Cloak and Suit co. / *****

If you are intrigued with the Edwardian era and want to see illustrations of clothing that women actually purchased, then this is for you! An unabridged republication that will provide inspiration to all those who love this era!