Costume: Fanciful, Historical and Theatrical

This richly illustrated volume is both a visual feast and a practical guide for anyone interested in the art of dress. Compiled by a dedicated scholar and enlivened by Percy Anderson’s elegant water‑colour drawings, it traces costume from ancient Greece to the early twentieth century. The opening dialogue about hair and sleeves frames fashion as a living language.

The book moves chronologically, offering concise overviews of classic, medieval, Renaissance and later styles, plus sections on peasant wear, foreign cultures, and theatrical costumes. Practical tips on fabrics, corsetry and crinolines help solve common dress‑making problems for balls or stage productions. Anecdotes about famed actors add a personal touch.

Over two hundred colour plates accompany the text, from flamboyant head‑pieces of Henry V’s court to delicate silk robes of an Egyptian dancer. The images let listeners picture each era’s silhouette and texture, making the work a handy reference for designers, reenactors or anyone who loves fashion history.