20th Century Dress in the United States Author:Jane Farrell Beck, Jean Parsons The 20th century was a fast-paced race into modernization but how did it affect what we — wear? From revolutionary politics to the new machine age, war and depression to growth — and prosperity, 20th Century Dress in the United States details how fashion goes handin- — hand with history. The authors examine American dress from 1898 to 2004 and find... more »
innovation at every turn. Diversity and complexity are key: far from the fashion stereotypes
embodied by popular ideas of the twenties or the sixties periods noted for their
youthful upheaval and influence we see how every era has its conformists and rebels,
from the Arrow Collar Man and the Gibson Girl to flappers, bell-bottom-clad hippies,
and Jackie Kennedy. Each chapter explores the social, cultural, economic, artistic, and
technological themes that shape fashion in both festive and everyday clothing. Changes in
retailing and manufacturing are also examined, from the sweatshops of yesterday to the
Internet shopping of today. Whether high fashion or low, glitz or grunge, this vivid and
comprehensive book explains what we wear on our backs and why.« less