The Dictionary of Fashion History

A Dictionary of English Costume by C. Willett Cunnington, Phillis Cunnington and Charles Beard was originally published in 1960. A monumental achievement and encyclopaedic in scope, it was a comprehensive catalogue of fashion terms from the mid-medieval period up to 1900. It was reissued and updated several times, for the last time in 1976. For decades it has served as a bible for costume historians. The Dictionary of Fashion History completely updates and supplements the Cunningtons' landmark work to bring it up to the present day.

Featuring additional terms and revised definitions, this new edition represents an essential reference for costume historians, students of fashion history, or anyone involved in creating period costume for the theatre, film or television. It also is fascinating reading for those simply interested in the subject.

Clear, concise, and meticulous in detail, this essential reference answers countless questions relating to the history of dress and adornment and promises to be a definitive guide for generations to come.

About the editors

Valerie Cumming is Chairman, The Costume Society, and formerly Deputy Director and Chief Curator, Museum of London.

To see inspection copies, please select your region

To see prices, select your region
Hardback
Sep 2010
320pp, 75 bw illustrations
9781847885340

Also available as:

Paperback - To see prices, select your region

Nearly forty years on and now hard to find save in reference libraries, the volume reappears as The Dictionary of Fashion History, skilfully enlarged and re-edited by Valerie Cumming, formerly Deputy Director of the Museum of London. Given fresh life and thorough coverage from 1900 through the present day, the new dictionary is once again ready to prove itself a trustworthy guide and companion to all those interested in the absorbing study of clothing.
Ann Saunders, Editor, Costume 1967-2007

next review >>