What People Wore: 1,800 Illustrations from Ancient Times to the Early Twentieth Century (Dover Fashion and Costumes) Paperback – August 22, 1994

I have been looking for this costume book forever. I used to check it out when I was in high school every few weeks. It has so many drawings from so many times. My only caution is for parents: there are a few women's costumes that, though I believe are accurate, are also bare chested. Other than that, after years of looking I am thrilled to have my best costuming friend back in my life. The wide period range has been fabulous for costuming!

Great reference for costumer or sketches of period clothing. I checked it out from the library and loved it and had to buy myself a copy to keep.

Pretty good condition but a bit wornSize is pretty good and i love the interesting silhouette of each time period and design

Very Good! Pro Examiner.

In fashion, it is best to understand the history behind the concept of clothing. Where did such items originate, where do they have a place in today's fashion time line?Where one should understand the names of designer and what lead them to fame, one should also understand the history behind the clothing, in both MALE & FEMALE gender. Otherwise you end up with those cast off mock ups of mass produced clothing that end up on the racks in generic stores that when you see them, you think - "What WERE they THINKING when they made this?"I bought this book as reference and resources that when I felt in the need to dive deeper into history at my own pace, this would give me insight to what others wore and when.Whether you use this from the fashion respect, or whether you need to have a visual to write your next novel. It matters not.My book now holds homage to the art of fashion in my study with my others. Well worth the price and the time to research it.

The black and white illustrations are well researched, and many are reminiscent of fashion plates and other primary resources. While designers and historians should be skeptical of original illustrations because of artistic liberties and accidental changes to the shape, style, and accuracy of the garment, this book is pretty decent/trustworthy.Gorsline also gives specific dates for the illustrations, which is very helpful in researching, and puts in helpful details like accessories (corsets, gloves, hats, shoes, etc.) and hairstyles. It mentions nationality, when appropriate, as well as the style (the name of the artist, when applicable, that inspired the illustration). It shows a range of variations within a given period, demonstrates different ways to wear various garments, and provides a wonderfully diverse sampling of clothes to give any researching a great start in their exploration. As with all secondary resources, be sure to cross-reference for accuracy.

I brought this book for images to use for a history timeline book for an early elementary school student. The purpose was to get a general idea of how people dressed at various times in history. For that purpose, the book is very good. As an added bonus, there are some pictures that are labeled with famous people (eg. Teddy Roosevelt, Queen Elizabeth). There are also pictures related to historical events and different trades (eg. pionoeer, coal miner, etc.). Famous people are missing (eg. no George Washington -- as well as many others). Also, costumes are missing (eg. original KKK costume, but the one that most people think about with KKK is missing). There were also ones that I never thought I would see in the book (eg. Jewish Priest from the Holy Temple period). For our purposes, the book is worth the investment.

Not what I thought, based on cover and did not have inside views. Bought it anyway since Dover books are usually clean line art. CONS: These are sketchy, dotty small (for the most part) ink drawings done by one artist from paintings. Not useful at all by my husband who incorporates line art into his paintings. Not useful to me as a fashion reference either. PROS: This is one illustrator's tour de force as he spend days, weeks, months sketching from reference material. Truly not worth the money.