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Ancient Greek, Roman & Byzantine Costume
This scrupulously researched and abundantly illustrated book includes 315 drawings based on renderings by artists of the period to achieve utmost accuracy and authenticity.
Included are elaborate examples of Aegean costume, Doric and Ionic styles of dress for women, Greek and Roman armor, graceful and intricately arranged Roman togas, the tunica — roomy, wide-sleeved apparel; and the pallium, a cloak-like garment. Ornate vestments of the Eastern Orthodox Church and Byzantine costumes are carefully described and portrayed, as are styles of hairdressing, jewelry, and other decorative elements.
An excellent reference for the history classroom, the volume also includes instructions and flat patterns showing the cut of sample garments, making it easy for costume designers to reproduce period apparel. This book will be valuable as well to costume historians and art students interested in the development of representative art.
Included are elaborate examples of Aegean costume, Doric and Ionic styles of dress for women, Greek and Roman armor, graceful and intricately arranged Roman togas, the tunica — roomy, wide-sleeved apparel; and the pallium, a cloak-like garment. Ornate vestments of the Eastern Orthodox Church and Byzantine costumes are carefully described and portrayed, as are styles of hairdressing, jewelry, and other decorative elements.
An excellent reference for the history classroom, the volume also includes instructions and flat patterns showing the cut of sample garments, making it easy for costume designers to reproduce period apparel. This book will be valuable as well to costume historians and art students interested in the development of representative art.
208 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1989
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
November 25, 2020
Great material poorly formatted
I wanted to give this five stars, the text covers a broad range of fashion both temporally and geographically in depth on a level that makes the garments and their construction understandable.
My only complaint is the formatting of the book. The pictures are numbered and arranged through the book in a way that follows no logic whatsoever. Most pages feature text describing images several pages away, and the numbering system for the pictures is so erratic that it gives no context at all. Most of the book I have had to flip around trying to just find the garment or motif being discussed.
Ms. Houston's material is well researched and more than worth the cost for the reenactor and reconstructionist alike. I simply hope it ends up in the hands of a better editor for any future printings
I wanted to give this five stars, the text covers a broad range of fashion both temporally and geographically in depth on a level that makes the garments and their construction understandable.
My only complaint is the formatting of the book. The pictures are numbered and arranged through the book in a way that follows no logic whatsoever. Most pages feature text describing images several pages away, and the numbering system for the pictures is so erratic that it gives no context at all. Most of the book I have had to flip around trying to just find the garment or motif being discussed.
Ms. Houston's material is well researched and more than worth the cost for the reenactor and reconstructionist alike. I simply hope it ends up in the hands of a better editor for any future printings
September 29, 2024
A very helpful and informative book. Has been invaluable for me with my costume making and drawing references. However, for the measurements you may want to consider adding greater dimensions. The measurements given seem to be fit for people of 160 cm or under.
October 8, 2018
The book was all right from an artwork point of view, but I was really hoping for more patterns to recreate these ancient garments, especially the Aegean ones.
July 5, 2019
I found this book useful for explaining classic clothing styles and how they're out together. The writing style is a little dry, but the information useful.
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January 8, 2024Dull as bricks and terribly formatted, but also fascinating if you happen to be enough of a dress history nerd to slog through it.
March 14, 2024
.Perfect for a mid term project
February 13, 2011
HC 1947
November 4, 2016
some great diagrams for how to drape or use fabric to make some of the garment types
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews