Titanic Style: Dress and Fashion on the Voyage

by Grace Evans

One Hundred Years after the Sinking of the Titanic, the Sophistication of Her Passengers Lives On.

Titanic Style explores the world of fashion and dress at the time of RMS Titanic ’s famous voyage. With stunning images and enlightening historical analysis, this book takes us through the wardrobes of passengers and crew of all classes and ages, from the most intimate undergarments to the warm overcoats needed on that last fearful, cold night.

The ship was a microcosm of post-Edwardian society, in which everyone belonged to a particular class and dressed accordingly. The luxurious attire of the ladies in first class, the cream of European and American society, was changed several times a day, while the more sober and conservative clothes of the men of all ranks subtly conveyed their status, and children were dressed to enhance their social standing.

We also visit the families below deck, dressed in second-hand or homemade clothes, heading for a new life in a country free of repressive class distinction. Stories and records of individual passengers and crew members are woven into the narrative to give an engaging account of what life was really like onboard the world’s most famous ocean liner.

Whether you are a Titanic enthusiast, a fashion lover, or both, this book will delight you with exquisite garments and the absorbing cultural history behind them.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Fashion, 20th Century

184 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2012

Reviews

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

An in-depth, well organized work on the fashions of the era. The Titanic provides a convenient framework as a microcosm of society at large in which to go over the day-to-day activities of those from various social classes in a virtually inescapable environment. Although the descriptions are quite thorough, given the nature of the content it would have been nice to see far more images depicting what is being described. In many cases the author would discuss an item that I would have liked to have seen only for there to be a picture of something else entirely -- and usually something that I could have pictured for myself. The more obscure items go unshown.

Three stars for giving a lot of great contextual information, but if you're looking for a book to reference while working on Edwardian or Titanic-specific wardrobe, you're better off with something that has more illustration.

[Echo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really interesting resource on the fashions of the time - from the first class all the way to the employees on the Titanic. There were also plenty of pictures to illustrate the clothing mentioned. Also, at the back were three of the claims filed after the ship sank, with a list of the clothing/items lost and the cost of each, and it's pretty staggering to see how much a first class wardrobe could cost.

[AngryOtter · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is worth a read if you're interested in the costume history of the era of the Titanic. I was only disappointed that there weren't as many illustrations as I was expecting. There are a few fashion plates and advertisements, but the rest relies on descriptions of accessories and fabrics and I was really hoping for more visual aids.

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

A new take on the Titanic history I so love. This book gave details that took you right to the ship and into the shoes of those that were there.
Nice historical read.

[Donna Alward · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this for research and it was AMAZING! Such a gem, jam-packed full of information on not only clothing but social customs.

[Beky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent detailed book about the fashions on the Titanic. Not only is there in depth descriptions of the clothing, but also a history of the fashion houses in Paris, London and New York. Also the mention of 'ready-to-wear clothes'. A must to read for any Titanic and historical fashion buff. Grace Evans certainly showed the love and passion into writing on such a subject.

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

PHENOMENAL resource for what people of all classes (including sailors and servants) on the doomed Titanic wore, for any occasion that could have occurred on the 5 days before the disaster.