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Fashion, New Edition: The Definitive Visual Guide
Learn all about fashion's trailblazers and trendsetters in this boldly illustrated, definitive guide that charts style from the late 19th century to the modern day.
From the extravagance of Ancient Egypt, through the legendary houses of Chanel and Dior, to today's catwalk sensations, this gorgeous, carefully curated collection shows how fashion reflects people and places, and captures the times in which they lived.
Packed with a dazzling combination of original fashion plates, archive images, and commissioned photography, Fashion takes you on a fabulous tour across the centuries as it catalogues the history of what people wear, revealing how Western fashion has been influenced by design from around the world, and celebrating everything from costume to haute couture. Expert commentary captures the turning points of fashion history, such as when hemlines rose to reveal a glimpse of stocking, youngsters pulled on jeans and "invented" teenagers, the red carpet became a runway, and celebrities became designers. Fashion icons take centre-stage too, with features on famous trend-setters and designers, such as Elizabeth I, Marie Antoinette, and Alexander McQueen, who set the style for each generation.
Fashion is an indispensible work of reference whether you're a fashion-mad teen, a wannabe designer, or someone intrigued by the violent origins of the stiletto or the birth of bling. If it's ever been in fashion, it's in this book."
From the extravagance of Ancient Egypt, through the legendary houses of Chanel and Dior, to today's catwalk sensations, this gorgeous, carefully curated collection shows how fashion reflects people and places, and captures the times in which they lived.
Packed with a dazzling combination of original fashion plates, archive images, and commissioned photography, Fashion takes you on a fabulous tour across the centuries as it catalogues the history of what people wear, revealing how Western fashion has been influenced by design from around the world, and celebrating everything from costume to haute couture. Expert commentary captures the turning points of fashion history, such as when hemlines rose to reveal a glimpse of stocking, youngsters pulled on jeans and "invented" teenagers, the red carpet became a runway, and celebrities became designers. Fashion icons take centre-stage too, with features on famous trend-setters and designers, such as Elizabeth I, Marie Antoinette, and Alexander McQueen, who set the style for each generation.
Fashion is an indispensible work of reference whether you're a fashion-mad teen, a wannabe designer, or someone intrigued by the violent origins of the stiletto or the birth of bling. If it's ever been in fashion, it's in this book."
480 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2012
64 people are currently reading
897 people want to read
About the author
D.K. Publishing
9,124 books2,072 followersDorling Kindersley (DK) is a British multinational publishing company specializing in illustrated reference books for adults and children in 62 languages. It is part of Penguin Random House, a consumer publishing company jointly owned by Bertelsmann SE & Co. KGaA and Pearson PLC. Bertelsmann owns 53% of the company and Pearson owns 47%.
Established in 1974, DK publishes a range of titles in genres including travel (including Eyewitness Travel Guides), arts and crafts, business, history, cooking, gaming, gardening, health and fitness, natural history, parenting, science and reference. They also publish books for children, toddlers and babies, covering such topics as history, the human body, animals and activities, as well as licensed properties such as LEGO, Disney and DeLiSo, licensor of the toy Sophie la Girafe. DK has offices in New York, London, Munich, New Delhi, Toronto and Melbourne.
Source: Wikipedia.
Established in 1974, DK publishes a range of titles in genres including travel (including Eyewitness Travel Guides), arts and crafts, business, history, cooking, gaming, gardening, health and fitness, natural history, parenting, science and reference. They also publish books for children, toddlers and babies, covering such topics as history, the human body, animals and activities, as well as licensed properties such as LEGO, Disney and DeLiSo, licensor of the toy Sophie la Girafe. DK has offices in New York, London, Munich, New Delhi, Toronto and Melbourne.
Source: Wikipedia.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
May 12, 2022
I have some niggles here and there (particularly the myths on corsetry), but otherwise this is a great reference book and will be very useful in terms of inspiration when it comes to my own design journey. Please read my progress updates for more commentary.
October 23, 2025
If you're here because you're looking for a visual book about the history of fashion, keep on reading.
The Topic
This guide does exactly what it says it would do: cover fashion from as early as we have evidence of it until present day (or the dawn of the 2020s, to be precise). The chapters are divided by fashion eras, and then each chapter attempts to look at different aspects of fashion (e.g. men's daily wear, women's evening wear, sportswear). The book also has bigger articles focusing on fashion icons (e.g. Nefertiti, Marie Antoinette) and iconic fashion designers (e.g. Alexander McQueen, Vivienne Westwood).
The only warning I want to give readers is that they shouldn't expect this to be a global history of fashion. Most of the book focuses on fashion in the UK, with the US and France being mentioned the most often as the countries to have influenced the British fashion scene.
The Information
I loved the explanations, descriptions, and the very rich glossary of fashion terms accompanying all the images. The book is very detailed and well researched; it's altogether a good place to refer back to if you work with fashion.
The Images
Whether drawings, statues, paintings, prints, or real photos, I couldn't get enough of all the gorgeous imagery included in this book. If you're a visual person, you'll be thrilled to have this in your library.
Final Thoughts
I love fashion; I know fashion; I draw fashion. So my expectations from a book that is claimed to be 'the definitive visual guide' were very high. And they were absolutely met; perhaps even exceeded. This book deserves a 10 out of 10.
The Topic
This guide does exactly what it says it would do: cover fashion from as early as we have evidence of it until present day (or the dawn of the 2020s, to be precise). The chapters are divided by fashion eras, and then each chapter attempts to look at different aspects of fashion (e.g. men's daily wear, women's evening wear, sportswear). The book also has bigger articles focusing on fashion icons (e.g. Nefertiti, Marie Antoinette) and iconic fashion designers (e.g. Alexander McQueen, Vivienne Westwood).
The only warning I want to give readers is that they shouldn't expect this to be a global history of fashion. Most of the book focuses on fashion in the UK, with the US and France being mentioned the most often as the countries to have influenced the British fashion scene.
The Information
I loved the explanations, descriptions, and the very rich glossary of fashion terms accompanying all the images. The book is very detailed and well researched; it's altogether a good place to refer back to if you work with fashion.
The Images
Whether drawings, statues, paintings, prints, or real photos, I couldn't get enough of all the gorgeous imagery included in this book. If you're a visual person, you'll be thrilled to have this in your library.
Final Thoughts
I love fashion; I know fashion; I draw fashion. So my expectations from a book that is claimed to be 'the definitive visual guide' were very high. And they were absolutely met; perhaps even exceeded. This book deserves a 10 out of 10.
January 26, 2024
I always wondered what is fashion before? I thought if something looks bizarre then it goes inside the fashion category, too young too pure,hahahha. Well, we put it a name on the stuff we put on as clothes, in fact it acts as many roles, and has many shapes, depends on the time, social background and the protagonist -human beings. No matter what it looks like, the good designs still look better and smell differently. It's a guide book, but funny to get through it by connecting history and social factors together.
December 31, 2023
Got this as present & as someone who loves the history of fashion this was very fun to read. I'm a peer assistant for a course that goes over the history of western dress & this hit several of the same important points! very fun to have a visualization of how fashion has evolved over time.
October 27, 2021
این کتاب زیباترین تصویرسازی ها رو از مد و پوشش زنان و مردان در دوران های مختلف اروپا داره. برای نوشتن مطالب درباره سبک های مد و فشن ازش کمک گرفتم.
July 9, 2019
Have you ever been curious of the fashion before our time? What our parents and grandparents wore? Even years before that?
Well this is the book for you.
We go from fashion in the ancient world right up to this decade. We get profiles of some amazing fashion icons such as Christian Dior and Jean Paul Gaultier.
Beautiful pictures with some detailed information of the clothes.
The book finishes with glossary and index which is brilliant.
I’m not big on fashion but I absolutely loved going through this book. A very interesting read for a wide range of ages.
When I was younger we had DK books in our home. I’m so glad they are still going strong and making awesome books.
Well this is the book for you.
We go from fashion in the ancient world right up to this decade. We get profiles of some amazing fashion icons such as Christian Dior and Jean Paul Gaultier.
Beautiful pictures with some detailed information of the clothes.
The book finishes with glossary and index which is brilliant.
I’m not big on fashion but I absolutely loved going through this book. A very interesting read for a wide range of ages.
When I was younger we had DK books in our home. I’m so glad they are still going strong and making awesome books.
January 17, 2020
Five stars because this book focuses on men's fashion as well as women's fashion. It's a lovely visual encyclopedia of fashion starting with antiquity and ending in 2019. There's an all encompassing glossary of fashion terms in the back. If you're into fashion or need a great primer, this is the book to pick up.
#popsugarreadingchallenge
A book with only words on the cover, no images or graphics
#popsugarreadingchallenge
A book with only words on the cover, no images or graphics
May 17, 2021
This may have to be one of the best books I have ever been given, let alone one of the best gifts. The pictures of extant garments and reproductions, as well as photos of contemporary fashion plates and magazines, really bring the clothes to life.
Each image has text accompanying it, annotating the period of time and features of the garment.
I can never pick this book up for only a few minutes as it is so easy and engaging to get ducked in to.
Each image has text accompanying it, annotating the period of time and features of the garment.
I can never pick this book up for only a few minutes as it is so easy and engaging to get ducked in to.
May 4, 2022
- Early 20th century: less is more begins to take shape. Whereas before elaboration tend to be the theme (dresses are structured architectural showing unrealistic body proportions). Practicality becomes more emphiszed
- Throughout history, the vast never really developed their own fashion sense - as they don't know who they are to begin with. Following the trend is the norm. Royalties and celebrities historically set the trend, and the vast copies
- Coco Chanel: iconic because she popularized "less is always more" even more, she popularized the Little Black Dress. The new "simple" look is practical, fit for war time rations, comfortable and easy to wear
- Suits for all: 1920s brings suits to the mass population. However, the difference still can be told: while some prefer the American comfort cut, some prefer the English cut promoted by the London Savile Row. Simplification continues (dropping evening wear, dropping the vest etc)
- Great Depression: after the fluff Era of the roaring 20s, great depression made women's fashion more conservative: less showing of skins, elegance becomes the key
- Surrealism: the lobster dress is a prime example. Surrealist dares to challenge the convention and imagine free association of expression
- The American Look: grown heavily out of New York's Fifth Avenue (particularly Lord & Taylor). The American War, resulted in the invasion of Paris that cut off Paraisan influence of the American fashion world, gives American designer freedom to roam. Without the pretext of history and class, the American look is more free spirited, pragmatic - or tasteless depends on the audience
- Christian Dior and the New Look: was born after the war ration ended. The New Look channels the old era where sophistication was emphasized and practicality was set aside: it's in the median of both
- Ballencicga: revolution in that his eye to the cut, yet also include drapes
- Yves St. Laurent: effortless combination of the traditional cut with the street wear style
- Jane Fonda's workout: her workout began a craze into athletic wear
- Throughout history, the vast never really developed their own fashion sense - as they don't know who they are to begin with. Following the trend is the norm. Royalties and celebrities historically set the trend, and the vast copies
- Coco Chanel: iconic because she popularized "less is always more" even more, she popularized the Little Black Dress. The new "simple" look is practical, fit for war time rations, comfortable and easy to wear
- Suits for all: 1920s brings suits to the mass population. However, the difference still can be told: while some prefer the American comfort cut, some prefer the English cut promoted by the London Savile Row. Simplification continues (dropping evening wear, dropping the vest etc)
- Great Depression: after the fluff Era of the roaring 20s, great depression made women's fashion more conservative: less showing of skins, elegance becomes the key
- Surrealism: the lobster dress is a prime example. Surrealist dares to challenge the convention and imagine free association of expression
- The American Look: grown heavily out of New York's Fifth Avenue (particularly Lord & Taylor). The American War, resulted in the invasion of Paris that cut off Paraisan influence of the American fashion world, gives American designer freedom to roam. Without the pretext of history and class, the American look is more free spirited, pragmatic - or tasteless depends on the audience
- Christian Dior and the New Look: was born after the war ration ended. The New Look channels the old era where sophistication was emphasized and practicality was set aside: it's in the median of both
- Ballencicga: revolution in that his eye to the cut, yet also include drapes
- Yves St. Laurent: effortless combination of the traditional cut with the street wear style
- Jane Fonda's workout: her workout began a craze into athletic wear
December 15, 2023
Plenty of pictures and text
For a guy, not very interested in fashion, this was a bit of a slog. Still, I wanted to see the evolution of fashion.
The earlier centuries are characterized by clothes worn by the wealthy and leisure classes to show off their status.
During the world wars, especially WWII, the clothing pictured in the book was simple, used less material, and was more utilitarian.
In recent decades some fashion was bare and bizarre, designed to titillate. Others are just gross and ugly. Almost none of it would be worn by people living ordinary lives.
The recent decades remind me of a quote: “Fashion is a form of ugliness so intolerable that we have to alter it every six months.” (Oscar Wilde 1890)
This Kindle book, published by DK consists of images of pages. The layout of the book consists of 2-page spreads. Reading this book on a 12” iPad Pro entailed zooming in on the text and moving around in each image in order for the type to be large enough to read (larger than 4 point). Fortunately, there is enough resolution for it to enlarge well.
There is an extensive “Illustrated Glossary” and Index at the back.
For a guy, not very interested in fashion, this was a bit of a slog. Still, I wanted to see the evolution of fashion.
The earlier centuries are characterized by clothes worn by the wealthy and leisure classes to show off their status.
During the world wars, especially WWII, the clothing pictured in the book was simple, used less material, and was more utilitarian.
In recent decades some fashion was bare and bizarre, designed to titillate. Others are just gross and ugly. Almost none of it would be worn by people living ordinary lives.
The recent decades remind me of a quote: “Fashion is a form of ugliness so intolerable that we have to alter it every six months.” (Oscar Wilde 1890)
This Kindle book, published by DK consists of images of pages. The layout of the book consists of 2-page spreads. Reading this book on a 12” iPad Pro entailed zooming in on the text and moving around in each image in order for the type to be large enough to read (larger than 4 point). Fortunately, there is enough resolution for it to enlarge well.
There is an extensive “Illustrated Glossary” and Index at the back.
December 16, 2022
1. Very informative guide. The book contains traces of (mostly western) fashion clothes. All illustrated by photos of actual clothes. It is very helpful (for data-driven learning) for people who do not grow up in western culture to understand why people like certain dressing.
2. Women only had trousers since 1970s or around. I can see that clothes (a) constrain the type of activities a person can do, and (b) the time needed to be spent on dressing and undressing.
3. There is also a clear trend (similar to architecture and many others) from pursuing complication (because this was the only way to separate people with power vs. people without) to simplification (due to practicality, e.g., more variety of things to do). And with the trend of minimalism, if people want to separate them from the crowd, then they add in design. And to understand these designs, many need people to have a basic memory of historical clothes because designers play around variations of existing elements in an innovative way.
2. Women only had trousers since 1970s or around. I can see that clothes (a) constrain the type of activities a person can do, and (b) the time needed to be spent on dressing and undressing.
3. There is also a clear trend (similar to architecture and many others) from pursuing complication (because this was the only way to separate people with power vs. people without) to simplification (due to practicality, e.g., more variety of things to do). And with the trend of minimalism, if people want to separate them from the crowd, then they add in design. And to understand these designs, many need people to have a basic memory of historical clothes because designers play around variations of existing elements in an innovative way.
August 11, 2025
Fashion: The Definitive Visual History differs from other books I have previously reviewed. Rather than being a fictional work, it is a nonfiction book detailing the history and evolution of fashion. Although nonfiction is usually not my cup of tea, this book is fascinating to me in its own way, partially because it is about a subject I am passionate about. However, I feel like even people who aren’t very interested in fashion could still find things to enjoy about this book. It is very visually rich, with beautiful and captivating images. Furthermore, it gives interesting and relevant information about the development of fashion through time; as history evolved, so did the clothes people wore, which often reflected the attitudes and events occurring in history at that time. I feel like it is important to highlight the impact of fashion and other creative outlets during this time, especially with the rise of AI, so I feel like the purpose of this book itself is very important, and I think the book executes that purpose very well.
January 30, 2024
The clothing of medieval Europe was truly an art, luxurious and glittering.
The modern era, clothing has become more about ease of movement, simplification, and lighter silhouettes, and these days fashion tends to be global fashion.
But it is sad to see the disappearance of unique ethnic costumes with use of the characteristics of each country or region.
Also, an important secret to being fashionable is having a beautiful body.
A man should have muscles in his chest plate with no unnecessary flab around his stomach.
You can tell if a man has physical beauty just by wearing a shirt or T-shirt.
Similarly, women should have a physique with no unnecessary fat and a tight waist.
It is essential to have physical beauty in order to wear beautiful dresses like those shown in the latter half of this book.
The modern era, clothing has become more about ease of movement, simplification, and lighter silhouettes, and these days fashion tends to be global fashion.
But it is sad to see the disappearance of unique ethnic costumes with use of the characteristics of each country or region.
Also, an important secret to being fashionable is having a beautiful body.
A man should have muscles in his chest plate with no unnecessary flab around his stomach.
You can tell if a man has physical beauty just by wearing a shirt or T-shirt.
Similarly, women should have a physique with no unnecessary fat and a tight waist.
It is essential to have physical beauty in order to wear beautiful dresses like those shown in the latter half of this book.
January 4, 2024
Almost like the Bible but for fashion enthusiasts.
Quite complete and informative visual encyclopedia. If you are interested in learning about fashion through the years, this book is definitely for you. It is extensive, complete and very illustrative. Almost every page contains images and references to accompany the reading, as well as timelines and examples.
It talks about iconic people in the fashion world, their contributions to this industry and their vision.
The only negative point I find is that despite being so extensive, it only talks about fashion from a Eurocentric perspective. But it’s very useful if your purpose is to learn new things.
Quite complete and informative visual encyclopedia. If you are interested in learning about fashion through the years, this book is definitely for you. It is extensive, complete and very illustrative. Almost every page contains images and references to accompany the reading, as well as timelines and examples.
It talks about iconic people in the fashion world, their contributions to this industry and their vision.
The only negative point I find is that despite being so extensive, it only talks about fashion from a Eurocentric perspective. But it’s very useful if your purpose is to learn new things.
Read
November 28, 2025That book really shows how much fashion changes over the decades, but it also highlights how certain styles survive just because they’re practical and well-designed. It reminded me of a conversation where someone mentioned https://www.redelk.it/en/ which turned out to be an outdoor clothing store that focuses on long-lasting performance pieces — jackets, thermals and hiking pants that are built for real weather rather than fast trends. It’s a different side of fashion, where durability and function become the aesthetic, and the clothes still look good years later because they’re made for life rather than a single season.
Read
July 29, 2024Just borrowing from the library so I didn't read everything front to back but I did love flipping though. I adore knowing whats been fashionable through the ages. and there were so many pictures and illustration and pieces they showed off!!
very inspiring and exciting. Wish I had my own copy to really study and put sticky notes in
very inspiring and exciting. Wish I had my own copy to really study and put sticky notes in
Read
December 31, 2024A timeline from the beginning of fashion to present. It highlights designers/fashion icons, the progression of men and women's clothing and reasonings with explanations. There was a nice glossary and so many images. I finally finished this book and am glad I read it.
Read
July 10, 2021Super comprehensive.
June 28, 2022
YES YES YES and every thing and more. Like always, I needed more historic information. But thats just how I am. I think this was very helpful. And I 100% recommend.
January 25, 2023
I loved seeing the fashion and outfits throughout history.
April 8, 2024
BIG Book. Goes way back showing fashion for men and women to the 15th century. Definitely definitive, and visual.
May 17, 2024
Interesting visual history my favorite era is early 1900 Britain in Churchill’s era.
June 18, 2024
best and most complete fashion book i’ve ever read
August 26, 2024
where did you get that rats/lice lived in women's hair in the 18th century if only you cited it
January 31, 2025
Good initial resource for those who want to start learning about fashion history. The book is organized like a timeline to show the "progress" of fashion with a focus on western fashion.
June 30, 2025
A more apt title would have been “Fashion of France and England and Occasionally Some Other European Countries and America at the End Too: The Definitive Visual Guide”
July 25, 2025
a good starting reference for European style, at least. there is a really fun flirty denim look in here that I will have to figure out how to draft.
May 1, 2022
Very eurocentric. But I learned a lot I guess
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews