Underwear: Fashion in Detail

Like all of the Victoria & Albert Museums "Fashion in Detail" series, this book covers its subject well, with a wide variety of examples from the museums collection.

I could look through this book for hours. It's gorgeous! I would have to agree with other reviewers' comments that larger pics of the entire garments would have been nice - the photos are closeups of details with line drawings of the entire garment. Odd. But the details are wonderful and fascinating. An invaluable reference book for anyone studying vintage garments, design, and sewing techniques in antique garments.

I still haven't finished completely going through this book as I haven't had time to do much more than leaf through it, but I can already tell that even so I'm going to notice different things each time I pick it up. Great, huge color photos and detail shots. Features a few of the same garments I recognized from this book, which I already have [and which is also excellent]--http://www.amazon.com/Nineteenth-Century-Fashion-Detail-Johnston/dp/1851775722/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1293738918&sr=8-1The overlap isn't a big surprise, since the garments are fabulous and come from the same museum, but even so I'm glad I have this book in addition to the other one. The clothing is in mint condition, and the detail shots are huge, very clear and well-lit. The book is very reasonably priced for being a large hardcover with glossy photos-- quality paper, they didn't cheap out. My one complaint of both this book and the other one is that there aren't more photos-- sometimes there is only one close-up photo of an area of the garment, with a minimalist black and white line drawing to illustrate what the whole piece looks like. Personally, I'd really love just a simple establishing shot of the whole thing so I know what I'm looking at and can appreciate the detail even more.Still, even with that it's a fantastic book for anyone remotely interested in clothing, art or design and a great reference material for costumers/re-enactors. It's nice to see a focus on the underpinnings of historical garments which were hugely dependent upon what was underneath to create such extreme silhouettes.

I bought this book primarily because I have all the other books in the series, and love them all. But I was pleasantly surprised how good it is ! It is basically a history of undergarments, for both women and men. Like the others in the series, it concentrates on details, which, as another reviewer has commented, means sometimes you would like to see a bigger photo of the whole garment, but the information is excellent. My only complaint is, I would have liked to see more nightwear, negligees, dressing gowns, and even smoking jackets, and maybe a few less corsets , bras, and girdles. But it is a wonderful addition to the wonderful series of studies from the V &A.

I first saw this book in V&A in London and was too expensive to buy. Amazon has a great deal here. This book is good to keep as inspiration for a designer.

This book is amazing! It gives detailed information about undergarment history--measurements, types of fabric used, types of "support" for corsets and the like, plus history of that particular garment. A must for any fashion enthusiast or historical interpreter looking for a period correct impression. The only down side, is it gives sketches of the garments, but not a full picture--only shows closeups on some. An excellent addition to my fashion library!

This book is the one that you've been looking for to research those costume projects where the outer clothing comes off. A wonderful and brilliantly detailed history of underwear. We needed it last fall when we were doing a production of LaRonde. We have it now for the next underwear heavy show.

This fantastic picture book would be good on anyone's coffee table. I am a seamstress and find it very exciting and it provides inspiration.

I cannot praise this book highly enough. The close up photography is a joy revealing more detail than you would normally see, even on a museum visit. There is enough written information to engage but not overwhelm along with a working drawing to help illustrate the construction techniques. An absolute must buy for anyone with an interest in Historic corsetry or undergarments and a useful resource for costumiers or fashion students/tutors alike.

A delicious book, full of delightfully luscious pictures of clothing in times gone by.The detail is helpful in understanding the clothes worn in the pastI am more than happy to own it.

A great book to have for shear enjoyment and as a reference book.

Beautiful, clear, interesting pictures.

Ich habe lange auf die Veröffentlichung dieses Buches gewartet und wurde nicht enttäuscht. Wie alle anderen Bücher aus dieser Serie ist es einfach genial.Die Abbildungen sind von sehr hoher Qualität und zeigen (ganz im Sinne des Buchtitels) jedes Detail. Dazu gibt es für alle gezeigten Stücke detaillierte Zeichnungen und Texte zu Entstehung und Herkunft.Für Kostümschneider, oder Frauen, die ihre Wäsche selbst nähen möchten und Ideen suchen, eine richtige Fundgrube.Auf alle Fälle ein Rausch aus Spitze, Satin, Seide, Stickereien, Organza...man kann sich kaum satt sehen.Ein paar der Aufnahmen zeigen die feinsten Handstickereien auf Batist und hauchdünnem Leinen, die ich je gesehen habe.Die Kapitel im Einzelnen:(Gezeigt werden sowohl historische als auch moderne Beispiele.)1. Historische und moderne Nachthemden, Bustiers, Petticoats und Pjamas, Herrenunterwäsche.2. Drucke, Stickereien, Applikationen, Federn, Satinbänder und Dekoration auf Unterwäsche und Strümpfen.3. Korsetts und Frontversteifungen aus Metall, Satin, Leinen, Baumwolle und Leder außerdem Hüfthalter, Corsagen, Bandeaus, Bodys.4. Verschlusstechniken mit Haken, Ösen, Knöpfen, Strumpfhalterverschlüssen, Reißverschlüssen5. BhŽs und Leibchen6. Krinolinen, "Polster" für Ärmel, gepolsterte Bustiers und BhŽs, Knickers und Petticoats7. Oberbekleidung im Lingerie-Look, Tee-Kleider, Baby-Dolls, Corsagen