Fashion Books

There's basically three reasons to buy this book:

1) For the clothing styles of (primarily) the 1930s and '40s, as noted in the book's title.

2) For the many movie stills (most featuring actress Marsha Hunt) reproduced therein, a cinemaphile and collector's delight.

3) For the vast array of photographs of the gorgeous Marsha Hunt, certainly an actress who did not (and does not) receive the accolades due her for her natural beauty!

In addition to her beauty being overlooked, Hunt also did not receive the props due her for her superb acting ability -- and Ms. Hunt was also one smart gal. This is a big, thick, well-written book with tons of photos, and I HIGHLY RECOMMEND it for fans of fashion, movies and female pulchritude (and Marsha Hunt)!

Note, however, the price that dealers are trying to squeeze out of this volume: typically about $100 to almost $200! Don't be ripped-off by dealers trying to bleed you on this book. It was originally published at $49.95, and you can typically find it on eBay for about (or below) that price. In addition, The Drama Book Shop in New York City has copies available for $49.95 (plus shipping), and they have CONTINUED to get a new supply of copies in -- which means there must be a good amount of copies of this book lying in a warehouse somewhere! Buy this book now, but don't overpay!

What a delight and pleasure it was to read "The Way We Wore." It is truly a one-of-a-kind effort. An extraordinary read and treasure. Ms. Hunt (and her publisher) have given us a jewel of a book. Film buffs and fashion designers will find they MUST have this rare & timely, work in their library.

This is a wonderful "cofffee table" book filled with the author's personal collection of black and white photos capturing the fashions of classic times. She was a model and a movie star and her notes and reflections are as interesting as the history captured through the photos. This book is a great reference for costume or clothing designers who want to recreate the style and panache of this period.

i actually worked with this lovely film star of the 40's and 50's and helped advise her as to paper, format, type face etc. in getting this book printed. it is one of the pure joys of my life and i felt transported to another era as i was welcomed into her home in Sherman Oaks and was treated to lunch and great stories of her era
Barbara Ludwig Hooper
Tucson, Arizona

This is a wonderful "cofffee table" book filled with the author's personal collection of black and white photos capturing the fashions of classic times. She was a model and a movie star and her notes and reflections are as interesting as the history captured through the photos. This book is a great reference for costume or clothing designers who want to recreate the style and panache of this period.

WHERE TO WEAR is NOT just for tourists. I've lived in NYC for over 15 years and this is the book I've been searching for. It has every address, phone number and store hour that I could possibly need. It now sits right next to my NYC phone book and Zagat's guide beside my phone! This is a MUST for tourists and New York natives alike!

Without a doubt, the best written, best researched, most informative book of its kind. It includes all the basic information; but contains tons of witty and useful tips. Also terrific breakdowns of where to find what by category and neighborhood. Clearly, Ms. Melhado and Ms. Clason spend too much time shopping...but for our benefit. The best stocking stuffer I found this Christmas. Last-minute updates and website information are very useful. Look forward to each yearly edition!

My girlfriend and I used her copy to shop the after Christmas sales in Manhattan, and this handy little guide was THE BEST! We're just tourists from a few hours south, but I imagine that foreign visitors with even minimal knowledge of English would find "Where to Wear" helpful. Stores are conveniently grouped by district and type/category. We plotted our course through as many designer stores as we could fit into 2 shopping days and thanks to the accuracy in the descriptions, know we saved precious shopping time and shoe leather. I even found a great hair salon for my next trip!

The "Where to Wear" guide is like having your own personal shopper. I appreciate the guide's clever store descriptions, complete with store hours and locations. It's well organized, witty, and comes in a slim, easy-to-shop with, size. The guide's handy catagories, such as "best picks" and "best kept secrets" lead me to some real gems (like a pair of striped Louboutin mules!) This guide is a must for those who want to shop New York.

Heads up you shopping mavens and tourists alike! This is one jewel of a book you all must add to your collection of city guides. It's incredibly user-friendly, chock-a-block full of informational tid-bits and snappy commentary. Not only that but it's like having your own directory of all the stores in NY (addresses, telephone numbers, etc.) and it fits into your hip Fendi baguette, your Sergio Rossi tote or your Matt Nye cross bag! If you ever wonder where to go to find that special little something to fit the bill - this one's for you! It just makes you want to walk around in Melhado's and Clason's mules for a day...

Well done! It's a winner.

When I was 10 years old, I was give "The Wonderful Fashion Doll" by Laura Bannon, for my birthday by my grandparents. I fell in love with everything about this book. I read it many times and also read it to my girls. The book is well aged and fragile, so I don't loan it out. My friend was here and leafed through it. She said she would love to read it to her grandchildren, but I can't bear to let it out of my sight. We checked the library, but they don't have it either. When I went online, I found that someone had a copy for $100 and was amazed at it's value. I wish they would reprint it, because it is truly a magical book. Every little girl should have the chance to read "The Wonderful Fashion Doll."

I loved this book as a child, and used some of the illustrations to design costumes! I have been looking for this book for several decades, but to no avail. It would be wonderful if it could be reprinted; over $100 is too much for my budget, and it would fascinate young women now.

When I was 8 years old I discovered The Wonderful Fashion Doll in my library's traveling Book-Mobile. I fell in love with everything about this book, the story, the illustrations, even the size and the feel of it. I checked that book out over and over again. I dreamed about how exciting it would be to find a doll like that and solve the mystery. We moved away, to Florida, to a small town with a library made of donated books (this was 40 years ago) and needless to say, The Wonderful Fashion Doll was not among them. I always scan used book stores and yard sales in hopes of finding a copy because this book will just not be forgotten. I too hope that some publishing company may republish it as I can't justify paying over $100.00 for it. But it truly was a magical book for me.

I have remembered this book throughout my adult life. I was seven years old when I received this book as a gift over 50 years ago. "The Wonderful Fashion Doll" was absolutely enchanting at that age and as I recall, I eagerly read it many times over. What a great adventure that book was for a young girl!
I, too, wish they would reprint this book.

Mystery for children in the third/ fourth grade level. The watercolor pictures are wonderful. I remember making paper dolls by tracing the illustrations. A long time ago-I wish they'd reprint it.

This book is indespensible if you are engaged in or plan to do business outside of the United States. Being aware and putting into practice the cultural nuances of the host country in which you are doing business is essential to a successful outcome. I appaluad the work that went into this book so that I was able to reap the benefits.

Great advice for the international traveler. I especially enjoyed the brief histories given for each region. It truly helps to have some knowledge of the events and experiences that formed the culture, and how that might relate to some of the actions and motivations today. The examples given open your mind to consider that what actions that might be "natural" or "proper" or "taken for granted" here at home may be construed differently abroad. I also appreciate the list of references should I wish to do more in depth research.
In short, the book is very well written in a natural, friendly tone that makes it a pleasure to read.

I have lived in Israel, Guatemala and Germany and think it would be useful for people who are going to travel or live in another place to read this book. Lanie points out so many small but extremely important cultural differences, such as conversational formalities and body language, and how being familiar with these nuances can make or break a business deal or greatly affect how one is treated in another country. This book will help the seasoned traveller and the novice to remember to think outside of his/her own world when embarking on an international trip.

Useful whether you travel the world, or navigate the world at home through the web, e-mail, and phone.

The short interviews, comments, stories and observations from people around the world that begin and end chapter, and are interwoven throughout the text, powerfully illustrate the key points.

A lively and fun read. Easy way to understand history and business throughout the world.

Full of practical information from beginning to the end. The opening quotes for each chapter "I Wish I'd Known" and "I Wish They Knew" highlight the importance of becoming familiar with a country's culture before traveling or embarking on a business venture outside of the US. I laughed out loud at times ( and hope to avoid some faux pauxs made by others). A good book to read before traveling or while on the plane!!

This book makes it easy to draw excellent cartoon dragons. Though distinctly cartoonish, they are 'realistic' enough to be adapted for more serious looks.

One of the best things about this book is the clear instructions. What you are doing, as well as why you are doing it, is explained. The pictures are simple and not overly complicated.

I would definitely recommend this book both for children and adults who want an introduction to drawing dragons (and castles and knights).

These are such great books. I have a few books so far and plan on getting the rest of the series. My kids love these books. They make drawing so easy anybody can do it!

I bought this book for my daughter who is 4. This book is great but would recommend for a 7 or 8 year old instead. For younger kids I would recommend the I Can Draw series.

This book is a great start to teach young artists-- 1 grader and higher-- to draw people. It teaches kids to sketch, i.e. draw lightly first. The step-by-step instruction is very clear.

Not only is it a great book for introducing drawing of knights and castles, the author apparent is also fluent in the vocabulary of this yester-year theme. My first grader and I get to know the names of different weapons, name of different parts of the castles and the names of "things" people wear. A double treat!

I found this book on sale in a New Jersey mall. It doesn't belong on a sale rack! What a funny and inspiring book. It got me back taking pictures after a too-long hiatus. Highly recommended for anyone with a quirky sense of humor.

I found this book on sale in a New Jersey mall. It doesn't belong on a sale rack! What a funny and inspiring book. It got me back taking pictures after a too-long hiatus. Highly recommended for anyone with a quirky sense of humor.

I remember Antin's postcards and am so thrilled to see them collected in book form! Her work was considered revolutionary at the time, and it's a great pleasure to own such an elegant reproduction of the entire series.

While taking a photography course at my school, I stumbled across this book in the bookstore. The idea of taking a series of photos of 100 boots and then mailing them as postcards appealed to me immensely, even though i was not alive at the time of of the postcards. Not only do the 100 boots tell a story through pictures, the photos themselves are wonderful works of art. Definitely buy this book.

This is the real deal. It's what people really wore, not the weird fashion illustrations (although I enjoy looking at those, too). It's interesting to see how modern some of the items are. I'd love to wear the shoes, coats and bags, and a few of the ladies sweater suits today. On the other hand, some of the clothing is incredibly oldfashioned.

The ladies undergarments are a scream. You buy them by your chest size in inches. Notice that there is no "cup size" because these are designed to squash you flat into a tube. See item 4546: "Bust Supporter and Diaphragm Confiner of a strong quality of pick silk tricotine . . . giving a very flat appearance when worn with a very low top corset. Sizes 34 to 46. $5.00

Also, some of the pictures are actually photographs and the models are very "chinny." The models are decidedly shorter and chubbier than today's models, and the flat chests make their chins look even bigger. It's interesting to see how the definition of "pretty" has changed over the decades.

This is great inspiration for anyone interested in vintage clothing or clothing design, or just fun if you love fashion.

This is yet another book that has wonderful illustrations and information about 1920s fashion. I recommend it to anyone who is interested in this pivotal decade in fashion.

This is a lovely book of a wide variety of catalog drawings and photos from the B. Altman Company which carried higher quality items as compared to the Sears catalog books. There are men's and women's clothes and childrens clothes, hats, undergarments, stockings, shoes...A real treat if you are interested in what the upper middle class might have worn. And everything progresses by the year, so you can see how the fashions developed.

"1920s Fashions from B. Altman & Company" provides over 700 black & white illustrations, detailed descriptions, and prices for clothing for the upper class of the Jazz Age. The focus is primarily on women's clothing and accessories, with everything from sophisticated evening wear to bathing suits, but you will also find a complete array of clothing for men and children as well. Please remember, because they buy directly from the manufacturer, "thus eliminating the no inconsiderable profits of the middleman," B. Altman & Company are able to offer patrons the benefit of the savings. This is a superb record of the styles worn by flappers in the Roaring Twenties; note than this is not simply the reproduction of a catalog from a particular year, but has fashion culled from the B. Altman catalogs of the entire decade. Interesting Footnote: The B. Altman & Company Department Store is now the New York Public Library Science, Industry & Business Library. Dover also has a reprint edition of "Altman's Spring and Summer Fashions Catalog, 1915," which records the fashions worn in the United States in the years before the First World War. This volume will be of interest to the fashion historian and of great use to costume designers working with this period of American History.

Great patterns and lovely designs make this book a must-have for knitters who want to do something more intricate than basic, fast knit sweaters. Ms. Goodwin's down-to-earth, don't be afraid attitude is refreshing but I feel you must read and understand her notes before you start knitting. She talks in a knitter to knitter style and I believe she expects her readers to know the basics. The patterns aren't terribly difficult but do require patience and a personality that enjoys a challenge. You WILL be rewarded.

I'm 13 years old and learned to knit when I was 9. I can knit these patterns and you don't even have to sew seams when you are done knitting. I think kids and adults will enjoy these patterns, besides, they are cute and in style.

After 3 days agonizing over the syntax in this book--(I'm a visual handicraft learner)-- I saw the light. And.. because I kept knitting and knitting, I saw that I was actually doing it right.

There are a number of confusions here-- how many markers to use; what happens next; etc. The writer knows how to knit so well, she assumes we all will just "get it". Even assumes we know circular knitting comes out the same as stockinette stitch, even tho' we don't purl any rows. I didn't know!

I didn't just "get it"-- I even wrote Mary an email and am waiting for help.

All in all, when one is writing so-called simple knitting patterns, the author must always put herself in the shoes of the most thick-headed of learners. Language has to be considered carefully, and at times, it isn't here.

Now that I "get it", I like the book. But, it was frustrating at first...And.. I have more than a basic knowledge of knitting-- it's just that I have never knitted a seamless garment before.

I hope when this book is revised, that the author takes more time with her explanatory language-- and gives these patterns to other knitters besides the local knitshop denizens to peruse. The simplistic learners are out there-- and we appreciate clear, concise language. Yes.. we have to read "next, you do this-- and it will look like this; and then next, you do this..." so on and so forth. That's an easy pattern.

But.. I've just ordered this authors children's sweater book.. So.. there is a light at the end of the tunnel. :-) I eventually figured it out. And.. I do like this book. I realize that it really is the most simple of seamless patterns-- compared to the others I've seen.

Patricia Dumas NJ

Great patterns and lovely designs make this book a must-have for knitters who want to do something more intricate than basic, fast knit sweaters. Ms. Goodwin's down-to-earth, don't be afraid attitude is refreshing but I feel you must read and understand her notes before you start knitting. She talks in a knitter to knitter style and I believe she expects her readers to know the basics. The patterns aren't terribly difficult but do require patience and a personality that enjoys a challenge. You WILL be rewarded.

Beautiful photographs laid out well with a good mix of celebrity/socialite/political women who effect our lives. Very good value for money

Here is an AWESOME ROCKSTAR who knows how to express his sensitive side through his impressive work of fine arts. He was able to capture the essence and inner beauty of a woman through his black and white photography. His images present simplicity at the same time timeless.

American Women is an impressive collection of fabulous women photographed by an equally FABULOUS ROCKSTAR. That alone is worth adding to your collection. It will be the one of "THE BEST BOOK OF YOUR LIFE!" Cold Eyes

I love the book. Tina Turner is in it and I love Tina. I would suggest this book to anyone that is looking for a photography book.

Bryan Adams (Summer of 69, Have You Ever Really Loved A Woman) lost someone close to him to breast cancer and decided to become a force in raising money to combat the disease. Having already published two books on women in the UK and Canada, Adams turns his attention to the U.S and dedicates the profits of "American Women" to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York. That effort alone earns it all the stars in the sky. This is a very talented artist who is more famous for his music than photography. You won't find any award winning photography between these pages but that wasn't the point. I believe the point was to focus on women, their strength, beauty and their value. Bryan Adams has accomplished that with a touch of class. "American Women" is worth every penny, especially if "You Ever Really Loved a Woman."

This concise book is superior to Malcolm Gladwell's best-seller, The Tipping Point. Gladwell's popular book was based on an appealingly superficial premise: that a trend spreads like a disease, multiplying geometrically until it reaches a population "tipping point," whereafter it increases to epidemic proportions. While that handy metaphor describes how a trend spreads, it doesn't really explain why, nor does it explain why one phenomenon becomes an enduring trend while another becomes just a mere short-lived fad. Unlike Gladwell, who is a journalist, Vejlgaard is a trained social scientist. Like an epidemiologist, he examines modern trends under a microscope, discovering the source of their unique power. He detects, moreover, a traceable and predictable pattern that all true trends tend to follow. An especially valuable book for professionals in advertising, marketing, and product development, and for all the rest of us who want to better understand the material forces that shape our lives.
Stephen Bertman, author, Hyperculture: The Human Cost of Speed

I was always frustrated with Malcolm Gladwell's book about tipping points because it does not really explain how a tipping point takes place. I find Henrik Vejlgaard's book much more credible, and there are lots of insight that marketing professionals can use. It quite simply delivers the story of the REAL tipping point. It may also be the first book that offers a method that can be used to predict future needs. Good job!

This book is not only important for anyone interested in trends it is also a good mix of entertaining anecdotes and analysis. I can recommend it to all who want to know more about trends and trendsetters.

This book is an eye opener. It explains what a trend is and how it evolves and how it affects us all. The best part is about the trendsetters and where to find them. For years I have been looking for a book that explains what a trend is and now that I found it I feel that all my questions have been answered. I can recommend the book to all with an interest in trends and trendspotting.