Fashion and Women's Attitudes in the Nineteenth Century

by
Format: Hardcover
Pub. Date: 2013-12-20
Publisher(s): Dover Publications
List Price: $42.61

Buy New

Usually Ships in 5-7 Business Days
$42.57

Rent Textbook

Select for Price
There was a problem. Please try again later.

Used Textbook

We're Sorry
Sold Out

eTextbook

We're Sorry
Not Available

Summary

The nineteenth century, according to C. Willett Cunnington, was a period when the cult of modesty was a tactical maneuver camouflaged as a virtue. It was also a period when euphemisms were used for such terms as "naked," "breast," and "leg," and when underclothing was vaguely spoken of as "lingerie."
Cunnington, an early twentieth-century authority on fashion, argues that the Victorian matron was governed as much by current popular style as she was by instinct and custom. In a light, amusing, and highly readable account, he not only describes what Englishwomen wore in the nineteenth century but also explains why they clothed themselves as they did.
Enlivened with extracts from novels; correspondence from the columns of ladies' magazines; fashion descriptions and period advertisements of beauty aids; the volume traces changes in feminine dress and ideas decade by decade through the 1800s. The importance of being "in fashion" and the longing to imitate — in appearance — those in the same social group is closely examined, as is the desire to be sexually attractive and its counter-effort — to conceal sexual features.
A carefully researched work on a fascinating subject, this volume will appeal to a wide audience, encompassing feminists, sociologists, fashion historians, and costume designers.

Table of Contents

I Introduction
II The Vertical Epoch
III The Dawn of Romance
IV The Romantic '30s
V The Sentimental '40s
VI The Perfect Lady of the '50s
VII The Revolting '60s
VIII The Ornamental '70s
IX The Symbolic '80s
X The Prude's Progress in the '90s
Advertisements

An electronic version of this book is available through VitalSource.

This book is viewable on PC, Mac, iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, and most smartphones.

By purchasing, you will be able to view this book online, as well as download it, for the chosen number of days.

A downloadable version of this book is available through the eCampus Reader or compatible Adobe readers.

Applications are available on iOS, Android, PC, Mac, and Windows Mobile platforms.

Please view the compatibility matrix prior to purchase.