Real Clothes, Real Lives: 200 Years of What Women Wore (Smith College Historic Clothing Collection)

Name: Real Clothes, Real Lives: 200 Years of What Women Wore (Smith College Historic Clothing Collection)
Price: 57.16 USD
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5.0 of 5 Stars: Fashion - Real Clothes, Real Lives: 200 Years of What Women Wore (Smith College Historic Clothing Collection)

$57.16

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Book Synopsis: An unprecedented look at women's everyday clothes—from Sylvia Plath's Girl Scout uniform to psychedelic microminis, modern suits, and fast-food workers' uniforms—this fascinating volume shows how American women from every background have lived, worked, and dressed for 200 years.

Groundbreaking in its focus on the everyday clothing of ordinary American women—a subject neglected in most fashion histories—Real Clothes, Real Lives highlights over 300 garments and accessories from the Smith College Historic Clothing Collection. This unique survey honors countless lives, tracing through the lens of dress how women's roles have changed over the decades. Each piece holds colorful stories about the woman who wore it, the one who made or bought it, and her context in place and time. Whether homemade or ready-made, many of the garments are modest and inexpensive. Some are one-of-a-kind pieces; others are examples of clever making-do, which seems particularly relevant today; and most reflect the popular styles of their era. Among the many extraordinary examples are a rare World War I uniform worn by an American woman working behind enemy lines and a 1970s go-go dancer's costume. Exceptional photography and rich archival visuals accompany the highly readable texts, which offer a wealth of historical and social analysis of a side of fashion and feminism rarely considered.

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Discover the captivating world of women's everyday clothes with Real Clothes, Real Lives: 200 Years of What Women Wore. This groundbreaking book takes you on a journey through time, showcasing over 300 garments and accessories from the Smith College Historic Clothing Collection. From Sylvia Plath's Girl Scout uniform to psychedelic microminis and modern suits, this fascinating volume provides an unprecedented look at how American women have dressed for the past two centuries.

Unlike most fashion histories that focus on haute couture, Real Clothes, Real Lives shines a spotlight on the clothing of ordinary American women. Each piece tells a colorful story about the woman who wore it, the one who made or bought it, and its place in history. Whether it's a modest homemade garment or an example of clever making-do, these clothes reflect the popular styles and societal changes of their time.

From World War I uniforms worn by courageous women working behind enemy lines to go-go dancer costumes from the 1970s, the book showcases a wide range of extraordinary examples. The exceptional photography and rich archival visuals bring these garments to life, while the highly readable texts provide historical and social analysis that delves into the intersection of fashion and feminism.

Don't miss your chance to own a piece of fashion history. Experience the stories and style of American women through the ages with Real Clothes, Real Lives. Order your copy today to explore how women's roles, cultures, and fashion choices have evolved over the past 200 years.

Get your copy of Real Clothes, Real Lives: 200 Years of What Women Wore today and embark on a journey through time and fashion.

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