Survey of Historic Costume
📘 About This Book
In the Preface of the 5th Edition of Survey of Historic Costume, Tortora and Eubank conclude with the following: "In the history of dress at the beginning of the 21st century, costume might be compared to a constantly moving river. This river divides into many narrower channels that separate, cross, come together, and separate again, and yet that river continually moves on." Building on the previous editions, the authors update their analysis of Western dress to 2008. Survey of Historic Costume has, from its beginnings, taken seriously the need to accompany the text with appropriate illustrations and the major change in the 5th Edition is the move to full color throughout the book to enrich the text and the concepts. Perfect for anyone interested in historic costume, fashion, textiles, drama, and design, this beautifully illustrated book is full of interesting facts and commentary.New to this Edition:-- Over 500 four-color photographs and illustrations-- Updated text to 2008-- Additional influences from one period or civilization to another, including influences from other cultures-- Index - updated and organized to be utilized as glossary with terms defined and page numbers printed in boldface-- Instructor's Guide provides sources for visuals, websites, teaching strategies and evaluation techniques-- PowerPoint® Presentation contains interactive visual presentation with links to Internet
📖 Summary
Survey of Historic Costume by Phyllis G. Tortora is an expansive and definitive exploration of Western dress history, meticulously updated through the fifth edition to encompass styles and trends up to the year 2008. Spanning a massive 705 pages, the book approaches the evolution of clothing not merely as a series of isolated garments, but as a continuous, dynamic river of human expression, culture, and design. The authors use this fluid metaphor to describe how historical styles divide, cross, merge, and continuously move forward through time, reflecting the changing values and aesthetics of society. A major milestone of this fifth edition is the complete transition to full-color illustrations throughout the entire volume, a monumental enhancement that significantly enriches the reading experience and allows students and enthusiasts to truly appreciate the intricate details, textiles, colors, and craftsmanship of historic garments. By pairing rigorous academic analysis with vivid visual aids, the text bridges the gap between historical context and tangible design concepts. Readers are taken on an immersive journey from ancient civilizations through successive eras, examining how socioeconomic factors, politics, art, and technology shaped the way people clothed themselves. The comprehensive nature of the book ensures that it serves as an indispensable resource for understanding the foundational elements of fashion history. Whether analyzing the structural intricacies of past eras or observing the contemporary channels of twenty-first-century style, Tortora provides a structured, scholarly framework that honors the complexity of dress. This volume remains an essential reference point for anyone seeking to understand the deep roots of modern fashion, textile development, and design evolution, cementing its status as a cornerstone text in the study of historic costume.
🎯 Key Lessons
⚖️ Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
Features a complete transition to full-color illustrations that greatly enrich the text.
Offers an extensive and thorough 705-page exploration of Western dress history.
Updates historical analysis to include modern fashion contexts up to 2008.
Compares the history of dress to a fluid, dynamic river to explain stylistic evolution effectively.
⚠️ Cons
The massive volume and 705-page length may feel overwhelming for casual readers.
Focuses primarily on Western dress, leaving non-Western costume outside its main scope.
❓ FAQ
Who is the author of Survey of Historic Costume? +
The book is authored by Phyllis G. Tortora, alongside contributions from Eubank in the referenced edition.
When was this specific edition published? +
This fifth edition of the book was published in 2009.
How many pages are in the book? +
The book spans a comprehensive 705 pages.
What is a major visual update in the 5th edition? +
The fifth edition introduced a major change by moving to full-color illustrations throughout the entire book.
What time period does the analysis of Western dress cover up to? +
The analysis of Western dress is updated to encompass trends up to the year 2008.
