Petticoats and Frock Coats: Revolution and Victorian-Age Fashions from the 1770s to the 1860s (Dressing a Nation: The History of U.S. Fashion)

"This series documents women's and men's clothing, hairstyles and accessories, designers, and inventions of the different periods. Well-researched texts provide clear explanations of the ways important historical events, people, and technology of the times influenced how clothes were designed, made, purchased, and worn. Numerous archival photos and entertaining sidebars contribute to a lively read." --The Horn Book Guide

"This series, a history of fashion in the United States, is more than a simple account of fashion during particular eras. A variety of interesting aspects are examined, such as the ever-present influence of Europe on American tastes and how wars affected fashions. Techniques and technology used in making clothes and accessories are included. Fashions for women, men, and children are all part of the story, as are hairstyles and facial hair. In addition to the vivid photographs and illustrations, primary sources such as journal entries, letters, and catalog pages are found. The volumes are interesting and easy to read, although the subject matter might limit use." --Library Media Connection

"These well-written and appealing books place clothing and fashion, from underwear to headgear, in the larger context of American history, emphasizing that for most of our past, clothing signified status and reinforced societal roles, especially for women. The series includes information about the clothing of many groups, notably Native Americans, African Americans, soldiers, and children. It also discusses regional and ethnic differences in dress and traces how clothing styles and forms reflected changes in society. Large, attractive period illustrations and color and archival photos and boxed quotes enhance the texts. This series is certain to draw both researchers and browsers." --School Library Journal, Series Made Simple

"This five-volume series provides a fascinating look at the history of American clothing and fashion, offering an engaging interpretation of the sociological, political, and economic factors that impacted how various classes of Americans dressed and accessorized from colonial times through the 1950s. The set's scope is chronological and topical in arrangement, with volumes covering clothing styles and trends in Colonial America; Revolutionary America and the Victorian Era; the Westward Expansion; the Civil War; and the Great Depression, World War II, and post-war America. Photographs, drawings and paintings of period attire in Petticoats and Frock Coats illustrate sharp contrasts between the lives of wealthy individuals and those of laborers and slaves. During this period, inventions such as the cotton gin and sewing machine paved the way for the transition from homespun to ready-made clothing. The historical moment covered in Hoopskirts, Union Blues, and Confederate Grays saw the rise of pants for women, jeans for work, the first haute couture house in Paris, and the beginning of mass consumption. Each volume is similarly arranged with five or six short chapters; numerous illustrations and colorful sidebars help to guide the reader through the expository text. Quotes from famous Americans and frequent references to art and literature help to contextualize the volume, and its glossary, timeline, recommended reading, and online resources make this set a terrific resource for the classroom. It will also be enjoyed as recreational reading and is recommended for school, library and home collections." --VOYA