Book review: dressing historical characters

 

Yet another book review! Lest you think I’ve been speed-reading these titles, a lot of of these are reviews I’ve been saving throughout the academic year & theater season but never felt like I had time to sit down and proofread/edit them. 

And full disclosure: I received this book from Waveland Press (the publisher) as a review copy. That has not influenced this review. 

Lauren M. Lowell's Dressing Historical Characters is a broad-focused guide that delves into the details of historical costume for students of entertainment design across a broad spectrum—yes, theatre and dance, but also film, performance, video games and other digital media, etc. This book is an invaluable resource for professors and educators who may consider it as a textbook for courses in costume design, theater, history, or material culture.

.
Lowell's book provides a detailed survey of the evolution of Western clothing styles across various historical periods, from ancient civilizations to the 20th century. The author combines historical accuracy with practical insights, making it an essential tool for those involved in the study or creation of period costumes. 

The book is illustrated with photographs, drawings, and diagrams that enhance the reader's comprehension and provide visual examples of the discussed garments.

Of note—the breakdown of each period silhouette into geometric shapes like rectangle, inverted triangle, etc., as well as an illustrated look at the undergarments that create those silhouettes. 

In the acknowledgments and foreword material, the author describes how a student’s unexpected response to an assignment—in which they were supposed to draw “everything a person from the time period was wearing”—resulted in these composite drawings showing all the layers of structure; this book grew out of that student’s innovative interpretation of the assignment. 

For professors, Dressing Historical Characters offers significant pedagogical value. It could serve as a primary textbook for courses on historical costume or clothing in material culture. Highly recommend as a new reference in the field.