Fashion: The Definitive History of Costume and Style

FASHION, the Definitive History of Costume and Style from the Smithsonian is a long overdue encyclopedia of fashion through the centuries. Like other books by DK, this one capitalizes on lavish color photos and extensive visuals that create an exciting book where the information is easy to understand and remember.

If you are reading this blog, I know you will love this book. It's the holiday gift that you will put at the top of your wish list. It has 480 large format pages packed with wonderful images and photos of not only fashion, but common day apparel as worn during the ages. There is a great sense of continuity, as a time line progresses from page to page, taking the reader along for a ride through the ever changing fashion landscape.

Full page spreads are dedicated to the big names and groups who have influenced the fashion silhouette. Each provides a good overview of the subject, with enough images to make the point clear.

For the reader who wants to teach themselves more about fashion, this is the perfect book. It would even be outstanding for students, and should be considered a player in the textbook field. Having taught costume history for awhile, I can say that this will be a strong new player in the competition for costume history textbook adoption. Another reason for making this a text book is the price. At only $50, it is probably one of the best values out there this season, and a perfect way to spend that gift certificate your aunt will give you this year.

Book: Hardcover | 9.88 x 11.88in | 480 pages | ISBN 9780756698355 | 01 Oct 2012 | Dorling Kindersley (DK publisher)

note: I was not paid for this review, nor did I receive a copy of this book. This is my own opinion, based on having been able to see a copy of it.