Costume 1066 to the Present by John Peacock Book Review

Costume 1066 to the Present by John Peacock Book Review
by Teresita Blanco

This book of costume focuses on dresses from 1066 to 2005. The book is organized around the reigns of different British Kings and Queens. Even today, the monarchy still sets the fashion. Anyhow, the illustrations are not in color. They are all line arts with emphasis on shape and form.

The line arts are colored red, with light red shading. Over the drawings there are short lines describing the dress. This book had recently been updated.  The grouping of images has the male and female separated. The top drawings are men and the bottom ones are women’s dresses.




This organization works well since it assures there is an even number of attires for men and women. All the attires focus on the people than can actually afford them and civilians. There is no clothing of church goers or military uniforms. The book also avoids special attires worn by cults or punks.

The best period illustrations are the ones from the Victorian Era. Some of the attires even include umbrellas. Even the small segments of the dress look sublime. It is simply a joy to look through it. It is a great illustration book.