The Cult of Chiffon: An Edwardian Manual of Adornment

This little book, a reprint of a 1900's fashion and beauty manual, is a highly enjoyable and enlightening - often in fascinating ways - view, right from the source, as to how the Edwardians considered that the fashionable woman should dress and adorn herself. One little note that caught my eye early on in the book was a surprisingly (in view of the mores of the time) frank and nonjudgmental acknowledgment that (remember this is the first decade of the 20th century we're talking about) if a woman didn't make herself attractive to her husband through dress and other means, then it was (in the author's opinion) no surprise whatever if said husband strayed. High society tended to be blasé about such things if conducted with discretion - notably, the book is dedicated to Daisy, Countess of Warwick, one of the most famous of King Edward VII's mistresses and one of the leading society beauties of her day. Aside from that, the book contains a lot of interesting data on various facets of fashion (such as color and material) that should be of definite usefulness to people who reconstruct Edwardian dress as a hobby or for theatrical purposes.

So much fun to read! The writing style takes a few pages of getting used to, but the advice is a real glimpse of what was expected of ladies in Edwardian years.

A must have for all steampunk fans

Extraordinary viewpoint on the thinking of many Edwardian Ladies

Oh, WHY wasn't this published 7 years ago BEFORE I spent $350 on finding an original copy?! Save yourself the money and buy this now! It's priceless for the information of how Edwardians (or at least one very fashionable Edwardian) viewed themselves fashion-wise, instead of through our modern eyes. Mrs. Pritchard LOVES fashion, and writes from the heart, not the head. The illustrations, feminine and lavish, suit the writing perfectly.

Un retour en arrière très instructif sur tout ce qui concernait la toilette,les bijoux....On apprend ce qu'il fallait porter et comment se comporter en toutes circonstances pour etre à la mode et comme il faut au début du 20e s.Les gravures sont délicates et très jolies,on en aurait voulu encore plus et de plus grandes pour illustrer ce petit livre qui donne envie de lire l'anglais à celles qui aiment l'histoire de la mode..