Title
Everyday Fashions of the Twenties: As Pictured in Sears and Other Catalogs (Dover Fashion and Costumes)
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The Roaring Twenties, age of jazz and flappers, Model T Fords and Hollywood movie stars, was also a time when for millions the bulky catalogs of Montgomery Ward or Sears, Roebuck were a substitute for the window displays of Paris or New York fashion shops. Buying clothing through the mails had become an American institution, and entire families were often dressed via the U.S. Post Office. More conservative than the uptotheminute fashion shops, mailorder catalogs nevertheless offered surprisingly much of the haute couture. But, above all, they accurately record what men, women, and children were actually wearing in the 1920s.Now Stella Blum (Curator of the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York) has distilled into this volume the essence of the fashion pages of the Sears, Roebuck and other mailorder catalogs of the Twenties. Her informative text and selection of over 150 representative catalog pages comprising over 750 illustrations with original captions gradually trace the evolution of dress modes from the vogue of stodgy postwar fashions to the impact on costume of the crash of 29. In a yearbyyear survey, Mrs. Blum s introductory texts relate the trends in fashion to the social changes of the dynamic and restless era, assessing the influence of war and technological developments on the high hemlines, flattened busts and hips, geometric patterns and bobbed hairstyles of the boyish flapper look. And as she notes, it was through the Sears catalogs that Parisian designers like Coco Chanel, Jeanne Lanvin, and Madeleine Vionnet made their influence felt on Midwestern farms and in urban ghettos.You ll find here a marvelous panorama of smart, modish, chic, stylish, and ultra fashionable apparel, as well as more traditional garments: for women and misses there are Middy blouses, Russian boots modeled by Gloria Swanson, Bob hats modeled by Clara Bow and Joan Crawford; coats, suits, dresses (including the first maternity dresses), sweaters, capes; silk and rayon stockings, corsets, chemises, camisoles, negligees; and accessories like necklaces, belts, combs, headbands, umbrellas, gloves, compacts, hand bags, wristwatches, and powderpuff cases. You ll see slowertochange men s fashions shirts, ties, suits, sweaters, and sports clothes become trimmer, brighter, smarter. And you can follow the trends in children s fashions as well.For historians of costume, nostalgia buffs, and casual browsers, these pages afford a rare picture unspoiled by recent myths about the Roaring Twenties of how average people really dressed in the jazz age.
⚠️ WARNING (California Proposition 65):
This product may contain chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm.
For more information, please visit www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
- Q: How many pages does this book have? A: This book has one hundred sixty pages. It is a comprehensive exploration of fashion from the 1920s.
- Q: What are the dimensions of this book? A: The book measures nine inches in length, half an inch in width, and nine and a half inches in height.
- Q: What type of binding does this book have? A: This book is paperback bound. This makes it lightweight and portable for easy reading.
- Q: Who is the author of this book? A: The author is Stella Blum. She is a noted curator at the Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
- Q: What kind of illustrations are in the book? A: The book includes over seven hundred fifty illustrations. These depict fashion from various mail-order catalogs of the 1920s.
- Q: How do I read this book? A: You can read this book like any other paperback. Just open it and enjoy the detailed descriptions and illustrations.
- Q: Is this book suitable for children? A: Yes, this book is suitable for children. It provides historical context and visual interest that could appeal to younger readers.
- Q: What themes are covered in this book? A: The book covers themes of fashion evolution and social changes in the 1920s. It provides insights into how clothing reflected societal trends.
- Q: Can I use this book for research? A: Yes, this book is great for research. It contains valuable information on 1920s fashion and cultural history.
- Q: How should I store this book? A: Store this book in a cool, dry place. Keep it upright on a shelf to maintain its shape and condition.
- Q: Can I clean this book? A: No, you should not clean this book with water. Use a soft, dry cloth to gently wipe the cover if necessary.
- Q: Is this book safe to handle for all ages? A: Yes, the book is safe to handle for all ages. It contains no harmful materials or small parts.
- Q: What if my book arrives damaged? A: If your book arrives damaged, you should contact customer service for a return or exchange. They will guide you through the process.
- Q: Does this book have any adult content? A: No, this book does not contain adult content. It is focused on fashion history and is appropriate for all audiences.
- Q: Where can I purchase this book? A: You can purchase this book from various online retailers. Check local bookstores or libraries as well.