A Victorian Lady's Guide to Fashion and Beauty Paperback – November 16, 2018

This was the perfectly written, succinct yet thorough, fashion history of the Victorian Era. I adore Georgette Heyer and new authors who depict thier characters either during or during and post Victorian eras, like the Amelia Peabody Emerson series and it is interesting to know how they dressed and viewed hair and make-up as opposed to the Austen Era. Great read!!

When I bought this book, I knew just a few things about Victorian clothing and costuming... mostly from John Peacock's book, "Costume 1066 - 1990s" (a newer version probably exists).I'd also read some Godey's Lady's magazines, and - of course - I've watched shows set in the Victorian era."A Victorian Lady's Guide" fills in ALL the gaps.It's a high-quality book printed on almost-glossy paper, so you can see the details in the many (mostly b&w) illustrations from actual Victorian publications.This book is organized into three parts. The first takes you through the Victorian era, decade by decade. It includes specific details of clothing, jewelry, and general appearance down to the smallest details.Then you'll learn about dressing for every occasion, every season, and things like riding habits and wedding attire, maternity clothes, and so on.The third section provides almost excruciating details about haircare, skin care, and so on.Whether you're portraying the Victorian era in a book, in art, on the stage, or as a re-enactment, get your hands on this book. Ms. Matthews writes beautifully, with style and wit, and includes topics that had never crossed my mind... but now I'm glad I know about them.Fascinating!

I really enjoyed reading this book! It was quite an entertaining, fascinating and sometimes cringe worthy (raw meat on your skin under a mask worn at night?! Ugh!) look at Victorian fashion, beauty products and regimes, social and societal mores, hair fashions and how they changed throughout the sixty year run of the Era. Well written and engaging, it was a great pleasure reading all about the various products, beliefs etc all of the Victorian Era and the good and bad changes it brought about both societally and socially in the lives of women of the Era.Although social history really isn't a subject I have reached for in the past, this book DEFINITELY was an EXCELLENT read! Recommend!

Interesting. Not sure I’d like the hoops and corset but that was the fashion. Did not realize all the beauty treatments women used then. Overall, a good read if one is interested in history of fashion.

An excellent, thoroughly cited, and very readable guide to Victorian High Fashion. It's filled with information on all facets of a lady's wardrobe and interspersed with fascinating social history and entertaining quotes & anecdotes. A must read for anyone interested in Victorian fashion.

The book is laid out sensibly and is very detailed and informative. It only suffers from having not nearly enough pictures to go with the descriptions

This is a fun read that covers the customs, fashion and the makeup and cosmetics of the Victorian era. I found myself searching the internet for more images of the items discussed.

This was the exact idea I had for my grad thesis… but better. Danngit. I love it but it hurts.

This is both well written and well researched. Definatly worth buying if you have any interest in Women's Fashion in the 1800s!

Ho acquistato questo libro per soddisfare la mia curiosità in materia, ammetto di non averlo ancora finito ma è molto dettagliato nelle descrizioni…forse avrei preferito un’edizione tradotta in italiano e le illustrazioni colorate ma personalmente non penso siano difetti…leggere in inglese può aiutare con la lingua e le illustrazioni in b/n servono a farsi un’idea sul testo che si legge. Sono contento dell’acquisto!

This boom has been really useful - I wanted to know more about Victorian clothing and fashions and this book has it all. It's a super read and anybody interested in the Victorian period would find it useful and very interesting.

Good overview of the topic, combined with some surprising information - who knew Guerlain was around as a perfumer in 1861? Some wonderful images, too.

Reading this book has given me even more fodder for my imagination when reading Victorian novels, I can actually visualize what they are wearing etc. Find it very interesting!