Focusing on fashion from 1850, noted fashion historians Daniel James Cole and Nancy Deihl consider the evolution of womenswear, menswear, and childrenswear, decade by decade.

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Chapter 1 1850–1890 The Dawn of Modern Clothing
• The Road to 1850
• Social and Economic Background
• The Arts
• The Fruits of Industry
• Fashion Media
• The Fashionable Elite
• The Elements of Women's Fashion, 1850s and 1860s
• The Elements of Women's Fashion, 1870s and 1880s
• Designers and Dressmakers
• Fashion Fabrics and Textile Technology
• The Cult of Mourning
• Historic and Exotic Influences
• Dress Reform and Aesthetic Dress
• Women's Sports Clothing
• Menswear
• Children's Fashion
• The Growth of the Fashionable World
• Toward 1890
• Chapter 2 The 1890s Extremes of the Gilded Age
• Social and Economic Background
• The Arts
• The Elements of Women's Fashion
• The Gibson Girl
• Outerwear and Millinery
• The Influence of Sport
• Designers
• Further Influence of Dress Reform
• Menswear
• Children's Fashion
• Tattooing in Fashion
• Looking Toward a New Century
• Chapter 3 The 1900s A New Century
• Social and Economic Background
• The Arts
• Fashion and Society
• Fashion Media
• The Paris Exhibition of 1900
• The Elements of Women's Fashion
• Foundations and Lingerie
• Maternity and Plus-Size Clothing
• Outerwear and Millinery
• Fur Outerwear
• Designers
• Beauty Treatments and Body Shaping
• Sports Clothing
• Menswear
• Children's Fashion
• The End of the Decade
• Chapter 4 The 1910s Exotic Fantasy, Wartime Reality
• Social and Economic Background
• The Arts
• Fashion and Society
• Fashion Media
• Bohemians and “Couture Bohemians”
• The Elements of Women's Fashion
• Outerwear
• Millinery and Accessories
• Foundations and Lingerie
• Sports Clothing
• Designers
• The Beauty Industry
• The War and Fashion
• Menswear
• Children's Fashion
• The End of the Decade
• Chapter 5 The 1920s Les Années Folles
• Social and Economic Background
• The Arts
• The 1925 Exposition and Art Deco
• Chinoiserie and Egyptomania
• Russian Art and Style
• German Culture
• Fashion Media
• La Garçonne and the Flapper
• The Elements of Women's Fashion
• Outerwear
• Millinery and Accessories
• Foundations and Lingerie
• Fashion Fabrics
• Designers: France
• Designers: United States
• Costume Design and Fashion
• Hair and Beauty
• Sports Clothing
• Menswear
• Children's Fashion
• The Growth of the Fashionable World
• The End of the Decade
• Chapter 6 The 1930s Aspirations of Glamour
• Social and Economic Background
• The Arts
• Art and Politics
• Fashion and Society
• Fashion Media
• Fashion Technologies
• The Elements of Women's Fashion
• Sports Clothing
• Outerwear
• Millinery and Accessories
• Foundations and Lingerie
• Designers: France
• Designers: Britain
• Designers: United States
• Hollywood Costume Design
• Vernacular Fashion
• Hair and Beauty
• Menswear
• Children's Fashion
• The End of the Decade
• Chapter 7 The 1940s War and Recovery
• Social and Economic Background
• The Arts
• Fashion Media
• Fashion and Society
• The War and Fashion
• Paris Fashion under the German Occupation
• Fashion in Fascist Italy
• Fashion in Nazi Germany
• Rationing and Utility in Britain
• North American Fashion “On Its Own”
• The Elements of Women's Fashion 1940–1946
• Hair and Beauty
• The Théâtre de la Mode
• Christian Dior and the “New Look”
• The Elements of Women's Fashion 1947–1949
• Designers: France
• Designers: Britain
• Designers: United States
• Film and Fashion
• Menswear
• Children's Fashion
• The End of the Decade
• Chapter 8 The 1950s Couture Opulence, Suburban Style
• Social and Economic Background
• The Arts
• Fashion Media
• The Elements of Women's Fashion
• Fashion Fabrics
• Foundations and Lingerie
• Hair and Beauty
• Evolution of the Silhouette in the Late Decade
• Designers: France
• Designers: Britain
• Designers: United States
• Designers: Italy
• Film and Fashion
• Menswear
• Children's Fashion
• Fashion and Rebellion
• The End of the Decade
• Chapter 9 The 1960s Fashion for the Future
• Social and Economic Background
• The Arts
• Fashion Media
• Fashion and Society
• White House Style
• Style Tribes and the Marketing of Individual Taste
• The Elements of Women's Fashion
• Foundations and Lingerie
• Accessories
• The Boutique
• Designers: France
• Designers: Britain
• Designers: Italy
• Designers: United States
• Film and Television and Fashion
• Hair and Beauty
• Menswear
• Children's Fashion
• The End of the Decade
• Chapter 10 The 1970s Revivals and Individuality
• Social and Economic Background
• The Arts
• Fashion Media
• The Elements of Women's Fashion
• Lingerie and Loungewear
• Accessories
• Hair and Beauty
• Denim in Fashion
• Active Sportswear
• The Unisex Style
• Punk Fashion
• Film and Fashion
• Designers: France
• Designers: Britain
• Designers: Italy
• Designers: United States
• Designers: Japan
• Menswear
• Children's Fashion
• The End of the Decade
• Chapter 11 The 1980s Power Dressing and Postmodernism
• Social and Economic Background
• The Arts
• Fashion and Society
• The Diana Phenomenon
• Fashion Media
• Music and Fashion
• Film and Television and Fashion
• The Elements of Women's Fashion
• Accessories
• Designers: France
• Designers: Britain
• Designers: Italy
• Designers: United States
• Designers: Australia
• Hair and Beauty
• Menswear
• Children's Fashion
• The End of the Decade
• Chapter 12 The 1990s Subcultures and Supermodels
• Social and Economic Background
• The Arts
• Fashion Media
• Heroin Chic
• Fashion and Society
• Film and Fashion
• Television and Fashion
• Music and Fashion
• Grunge
• Goth
• Hip-hop Style
• Fashion Trends
• Body Modification
• The Elements of Women's Fashion
• Accessories
• Foundations and Lingerie
• Designers: France
• Designers: Britain
• Designers: United States
• Designers: Italy
• Designers: Belgium
• Hair and Beauty
• Menswear
• Children's Fashion
• Asian Style
• The End of the Decade
• Chapter 13 The 2000s Mixed Messages
• Social and Economic Background
• The Arts
• Fashion Media
• Designers as Celebrities, Celebrities as Designers
• Fashion and Society
• Film, Television, Stage, and Fashion
• Music and Fashion
• Fashion Trends
• Responsible Fashion
• Style Tribes
• The Elements of Women's Fashion
• Accessories
• Foundations and Lingerie
• Designers and Brands
• Designers: France
• Designers: Britain
• Designers: Italy
• Designers: United States
• Hair and Beauty and Body Modification
• Menswear
• Children's Fashion
• Traditional Dress, Modern World
• Asian Style
• New Millennium, Global Watch
• Glossary
• Bibliography
• Picture Credits