Review: Such a beautiful and interesting book
This is the ultimate coffee table book. It is so elegant. Full of interesting picture. I am not even very interested in costumes and fashion but this is such a beautful book. It will delight any guest who sees it on your coffee table.



A Pictorial History of Costume From Ancient Times to the Nineteenth Century : With Over 1900 Illustrated Costumes, Including 1000 in Full Color (Paperback)

Book Description
This invaluable pictorial history of fashion—a classic in its field—takes readers on a grand tour of the world, starting in ancient Egypt, ca. 2200 B.C., and culminating in Paris in the late 19th century. More than 1,900 items of clothing are shown in beautiful, accurately rendered illustrations—from furs, veils, ruffs, and pointed bodices, to cloaks, leggings, waistcoats, and breeches. Headgear and footwear abound as well. Essential for costume designers and students of fashion history, this detailed survey will particularly delight the armchair time traveler. 57 color plates. 69 black-and-white plates.

Review:
Gives a basic and brief coverage of both male and female costume from different periods and cultures. mixture of both colour and black and white sketches. no great detail but good enough to present a general idea.

Instant Period Costume: How to Make Classic Costumes from Cast-Off Clothing (Paperback)

Review: Absolutely no sewing is required!
Anyone who has done costume work for theater knows how difficult create believeable outfits quickly, and how expensive it can be to rent any costume. Instant Period Costumes: How To Make Classic Costumes From Cast-Off Clothing is the pefect solution to the costume worker's dilemma, for Barb Rogers has designs for inexpensively assembling over 100 period piece costumes, complete with photos and diagrams. The instructions are so easy to follow that absolutely no sewing is required! With chapters that describe costumes for the Gothic, Renaissance, Elizabethan, Restoration, Bustle, Turn-of-the-Century, World War I, '20s, '30s, '40s, '50s, '60s, '70s, '80s periods and more, Instant Period Costumes is highly recommended not only for theater costume workers, but also anyone looking to put together an excellent Halloween or masquerade ball costume with a minimum of cost and hassle!

Review: Great theatrical costume ideas found here
The book provides numerous creative ideas for low budget theater companies. I found the ideas in this book clever and very useful, covering many different periods of style. Book has before and after photographs, easy to understand instructions. Good to have as a reference.

Review: Some great ideas
I agree with some of the other reviewers who pointed out that the costumes in this book are not "period perfect", but I thought the author had some clever and inspiring ideas about how to mix cast-off items to create new looks. Looking at her pictures will really help you to see the potential in those ugly old bridesmaids' dresses. I also appreciated her tips on how to use things like glue guns and cardboard for quick construction. I do wish, however, that the interior of the book had color pictures--the copy I have is all black and white, and it's hard to make out the detail in many of the images.

Review: Instant Period Costumes
This is a fabulous book!!! Great for sewers and non-sewers alike. I will definitely buy it for my collection and have already started to aquire cast off clothing for usagein new costumes. Barb Rogers makes each costume seem so easy to make and really takes the threat out of costuming. GREAT IDEAS!!!! good pictures, wish they were all in color!!...

Review: Quick and Easy
This book saved me from having to spend a fortune on a period costume for the re-enactment party. With some dye, glue, pins, and the ideas gleaned from it, I came up with my own Renaissance gown. And, it was so easy. You would not believe the people who asked where I got my costume. There is no doubt in my mind, when other occasions arise, I will be able to show up in a unique costume I have designed myself. I would recommend this book to anyone, especially people who don't sew, in need of a costume for any occasion.

Review: If "period" equals "fantasy"
This is NOT a guide to constructing period costumes -- her identification of the "periods" is more fantasy than fact -- but it does have clever ideas for fast and inexpensive costumes. This might make a good starting place for a costuming newbie who's overwhelmed at having to put together a whole show in just a few weeks. Experienced costumers can skip this book, since you've probably already come up with these ideas on your own.

A word of warning: the author frequently dyes the second-hand clothing she uses, but you could probably skip that step in many of the examples (I don't know about you, but I don't know anyone who would let me use their washing machine to dye a wedding dress blue...!). It's the tips on combining parts of different garments that most people will find helpful.

My main problem with this book is the title; if you just omit the word "period" then you've got a good idea of what this book IS good for. It would be useful for school musicals, masquerade parties, parades, Halloween, etc. but don't expect to costume a decent production of Shakespeare with the aid of this book. Kiss Me, Kate -- yes; Taming of the Shrew -- no.

Costume Designer's Handbook : A Complete Guide for Amateur and Professional Costume Designers (Paperback)

From Library Journal
The Costumer's Handbook (1980), the bible of theatrical costumers, has been out of print for a while. It is resurrected here in a much expanded version as two essential reference/hand/text books, one for designers and one for technicians. Both are superbly illustrated and contain both an extensive annotated bibliography and a lengthy shopping guide. The Designer's Handbook follows the process from script to production, also offering contains a chapter on the profession. The Technician's Handbook begins with setting up a costume shop and goes on to such topics as safety, fabrics, pattern-making, con struction, fitting, dyeing, and sections on hair, hats, and accessories. Both titles are required purchases for theater collections.
- Thomas E. Luddy, Salem State Coll., Mass.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Book Description
Newly revised and updated, The Costume Designer's Handbook is now more comprehensive than ever and is the backbone of any costume designer's library since its original publication in 1983.

Review: What it is good for
I bought this book because of the ratings and was disappointed. Yes it does give chronological information on planning and basics on drawing and a lot of info on working therater designs and with others. Great, but not what I needed. It also has a great reference section for doing the research you need to do but, I already had most of this info from other sources. I have a history and arts background and i needed inspiration. It did give me an inspiration to reorganize my art supplies!Don't waste your money if you are not theater oriented. AND I do mean theater.

Review: I didn't know where to start until someone lent me this book
I'd been assisting designers for quite some time, even designed some of my own shows, without an education in costume design. I have lots of great experience but I'm sure nothing can compete with a costume design education (mine is in fashion design), which I'd like to pursue when I have the time. I'm so glad I found out about this book! Every aspect of the process you need to know about is in here. It is essential! I can't believe I survived as long as I did without it.

Review: Excellent overview of process
Reviewer: Bridgette Dyer-Leighton (Sandy, OR) - See all my reviews
This is a great resource for the design process. I especially use these guidelines for analysis of a play and characters whenever I design a show. A must have for anyone interested in designing shows!!