Everyday Fashions, 1909-1920, As Pictured in Sears Catalogs (Dover Fashion and Costumes)

I'm using this book to help identify some of my great-grandmother's photos of clothing. I wish it included a bit more description, but it's a replica of the catalog, so it does a fair job.

These catalogs are great inspiration for my show set in 1912

This is a wonderful book showing what women really wore. I ordered a used book and it was in excellent condition so do not hesitate to give a used book a forever home.

This book is MUCH nicer than I thought it would be! Oftentimes books of this sort are filled with poorly photocopied line drawings that are often difficult to clearly see -- this edition is printed on glossy paper that really brings out the details in the images! A helpful resource for sewists and costumers looking for reference images, but equally valuable for those interested in fashion worn by everyday people.

Actually illustrates items for sale by sears during the dates specified.Pros:It gives some great ideas for costuming. Pages are clear and informative.Cons:Does not show clothing specifics for multiple years. For example, Ladies skirts and children's wear are illustrated for 1909 but, skirts aren't illustrated again until 1914. Multiple design changes happened over those 5 years and if you want to get the era correct, you need to know the changes.Altogether, I would definitely buy this again as I want to make a series of costumes for costume college next year.I would liked it to have some illustrations of each category for each year.

A very satisfying and to the point presentation, boasting a full page, page after page image format, reproduced to a fine degree in well contrasted black and white, arranged in chronological order -- yes, it is as good as it sounds! A book of immense enjoyment. I only have two quibbles...quibble one: though of good size, it is a paperback. Quibble two: it isn't 5 times thicker than it is. I want more!

Crammed full of illustrations and descriptions of dresses, coats, hats, footwear, lingerie, and accessories such as jewellery and handbags. Menswear and children's clothes are included, but the focus is on women's wear. We can see changes in the desired silhouette, the movement of hemlines upwards and downwards, and the influence of the war on styles and trims. JoAnne Olian's introduction provides an excellent summary of the trends in the period covered.A useful reference book that's also a pleasure to dip into.

I love this book. I have borrowed a friend's copy repeatedly to research dresses for the period, so finally bought my own copy. It's so nice to have such a variety of every day people's clothes to search through.