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Overview
It is difficult to separate the French from fashion. The swashbuckling chevaliers of the early 17th century, the magnificent balls of Renaissance royalty -- right up to the Revolution, the French court, renowned for its luxurious splendor and pointless excess, set the pace for European clothing. It was the desire of the French court for more and more stupendous clothing that originally put Paris on the fashion map. One of the country's greatest exports, French fashions have influenced contemporary dress on an international level for much of its history.France takes a historical journey through the country's costume and culture -- through war, peace, Renaissance, and revolution; from the French aristocracy to priests, peasants, and revolutionaries. Find out about: The jousting tournaments of the Middle Ages and France's role in the evolution of menswear and uniforms. The extraordinary headdresses and extreme wigs promoted by Marie Antoinette. France's 1790s equivalent of punks, the incroyables, who were ridiculed for their exaggerated style of dress. Provincial costume variations and occupational clothes through the ages.
Discusses the history of various costumes worn in France.
Synopsis
It is difficult to separate the French from fashion. The swashbuckling chevaliers of the early 17th century, the magnificent balls of Renaissance royalty -- right up to the Revolution, the French court, renowned for its luxurious splendor and pointless excess, set the pace for European clothing. It was the desire of the French court for more and more stupendous clothing that originally put Paris on the fashion map. One of the country's greatest exports, French fashions have influenced contemporary dress on an international level for much of its history.
France takes a historical journey through the country's costume and culture -- through war, peace, Renaissance, and revolution; from the French aristocracy to priests, peasants, and revolutionaries. Find out about: The jousting tournaments of the Middle Ages and France's role in the evolution of menswear and uniforms. The extraordinary headdresses and extreme wigs promoted by Marie Antoinette. France's 1790s equivalent of punks, the incroyables, who were ridiculed for their exaggerated style of dress. Provincial costume variations and occupational clothes through the ages.
Amie Rose Rotruck - Children's Literature
This book from the "Cultures and Costumes: Symbols of their Period" series describes this aspect of French history. There are five main influences of French costumes and each is described in its own chapter. The chapter "Ceremonial and Social Occasions" describes how tournaments, court balls, horseback riding and other social events influenced dress throughout the years. "Military and Men's Costumes" explores the armor and costume of the early French military and how those outfits influenced menswear in later years. "The Influence of the Court" details how fur, colors, and other properties of clothing indicated status in court. The costumes of different eras of the French royal court are also described. The chapter, "The Importance of the Headdress" includes information on hats and other head coverings, hair, makeup, and wigs of both men and women. "The Lower Classes, Trades, and Provincial Variations" describes costumes of religious orders, peasants, and weddings before going into how the rise of the middle class and the French Revolution changed costumes for all of France. Difficult words are written in bold type and are defined in a glossary. A timeline of French history from 1337 to 1799 is also included. Numerous illustrations show the costumes of the time, although some museum photos of clothing and armor would have been a nice addition. Although little is said about clothing after the 18th century, this is a very thorough book about French costume up until that point. 2003, Mason Crest,
Editorials
Children's Literature
This book from the "Cultures and Costumes: Symbols of their Period" series describes this aspect of French history. There are five main influences of French costumes and each is described in its own chapter. The chapter "Ceremonial and Social Occasions" describes how tournaments, court balls, horseback riding and other social events influenced dress throughout the years. "Military and Men's Costumes" explores the armor and costume of the early French military and how those outfits influenced menswear in later years. "The Influence of the Court" details how fur, colors, and other properties of clothing indicated status in court. The costumes of different eras of the French royal court are also described. The chapter, "The Importance of the Headdress" includes information on hats and other head coverings, hair, makeup, and wigs of both men and women. "The Lower Classes, Trades, and Provincial Variations" describes costumes of religious orders, peasants, and weddings before going into how the rise of the middle class and the French Revolution changed costumes for all of France. Difficult words are written in bold type and are defined in a glossary. A timeline of French history from 1337 to 1799 is also included. Numerous illustrations show the costumes of the time, although some museum photos of clothing and armor would have been a nice addition. Although little is said about clothing after the 18th century, this is a very thorough book about French costume up until that point. 2003, Mason Crest,— Amie Rose Rotruck