The Fashion Chronicles: The style stories of history's best dressed

by Amber Jane Butchart

From BBC television and radio presenter Amber Butchart, The Fashion Chronicles is an exploration of 100 of the most fascinating style stories ever told.From Eve's fig leaf to Hilary Clinton's pantsuit, the way we choose to clothe our bodies can carry layer upon layer of meaning. Across cultures and throughout history people have used clothing to signify power and status, to adorn and beautify, even to prop up or dismantle regimes.Here, explore the best-dressed figures in history, from Cleopatra to Beyoncé, Joan of Arc to RuPaul. Some have influenced the fashion of today, while some have used their clothing to change the world. But all have a sartorial story to tell. Entries of AcquitaneGenghis KhanKing Philip II of SpainKing Louis XIV of FranceCatherine the GreatMarie AntoinetteKarl MarxAmelia EarhartJosephine BakerFrida KahloMalcolm XMarsha HuntBeyoncéChimamanda Ngozi Adichie...and many more

Genres: Fashion, History, Nonfiction, Fashion History

288 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 6, 2018

Reviews

[Elizabeth Judd Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actually a 4.5 for the book itself, but a 2 for whoever chose the color of the text.* The book itself is wonderfully written, with a diverse choice of figures and with wonderful accompanying art and photography. Loved it. Lots of fashion, lots of history. Perfect.
*That text, tho...why so light? I would have finished this book in a day or two if it weren’t so uncomfortable to read. It wasn’t just me, either; my husband commented on it as well (also, I read lots and this is the only book that gave me eye strain recently). Please fix this in future editions.

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was more interested in the earlier pages and wish there was more pre-20th-century but overall it's a fascinating book.

I was impressed with the full colour pages and photographs and thick, glossy paper - but the font was too light and not easy to read at all!

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Spanning over 4000 years of history, this is an extensive collection of mini-biographies of fashion's movers and shakers. It works best as a simple collection of historical biographies - I found that sometimes, the subject's connection to fashion can be a bit tenuous. (For example: Genghis Khan was included, because the Mongols' equestrian lifestyle supposedly influenced the development of heeled shoes centuries later.)

Having said that, the author did a terrific job highlighting the interconnections between fashion and art, pagentry, power and politics - always an interesting topic.

This book leaves you wanting more. Most of the entries are just a double-spread (ie one page text and one page illustration) - it would be nice to have more discussion and especially more images. There is, however, a detailed set of Endnotes that points to ideas for further reading.

[Liselotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok, actual rating: 4.5 but a 5 star is really deserved.

This was an amazing informative, diverse, well researched book. I loved absolutely every minute of it. I learned so much and about so many people I've never actually heard about before!

I do wish it was a little bit more in-depth with certain people, and I just wanted more overal, but that probably just means I loved it so much I didn't want it to end.

I can't wait to read more from Amber Butchart, this book is even better than her docu series, and that's one of my favourite docu series of all time. I really want to read her other books now, and I really hope she'll continue writing books!

[Cody · Rating 3 out of 5]

Why not just print the book in invisible ink? Had to risk eye strain to read the pale, faded gray text. Interesting content, poor choice of style.

[Sacha]

Stitch In Time host. Interviewed on Dressed podcast.

[Zuzana Fajta · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ja neviem, prečo ľudia píšu takéto oničom knihy? Akože mám Amber rada, na BBC jej to ide super ale toto je, že nič. Kniha pre deti. Škoda.