The Classic Ten: The True Story of the Little Black Dress and Nine Other Fashion Favorites

by Nancy MacDonell Smith

Overview

Nancy MacDonell Smith explores the origins, meaning, and remarkable staying power of the ten staples of feminine fashion:
* the little black dress
* the white shirt
* the cashmere sweater
* blue jeans
* the suit
* high heels
* pearls
* lipstick
* sneakers
* the trench coat
Tracing the evolution of each item from inception to icon status, she reveals the history and social significance of each, from the black dress's associations with danger and death to the status implications of the classic white shirt. Incorporating sources from history, literature, magazines, and cinema, as well as her own witty anecdotes, Smith has created an engaging, informative guide to modern style.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781101098783
Publisher:	Penguin Publishing Group
Publication date:	10/28/2003
Sold by:	Penguin Group
Format:	eBook
Pages:	224
File size:	670 KB
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Nancy MacDonell Smith is the fashion news/features director at NYLON magazine. She has written about fashion and style for the New York Times, Harper's Bazaar, and many other magazines.

Editorial Reviews

A fashion news/features director at NYLON magazine, Smith takes an in-depth look at the history and evolution of ten staples of feminine fashion-the little black dress, the suit, jeans, the cashmere sweater, the white shirt, high heels, pearls, the trench coat, lipstick, and sneakers. She examines the ways in which both the conservative patriarchy and the women's liberation movement influenced fashion. As Smith informs us, "The taboo against women in trousers was so strong that women didn't even wear two-legged underwear until the 1850s." Each chapter begins with an insightful quote about the piece of apparel under consideration and contains frequent references to celebrities (frequently the Hepburns, Katharine and Audrey) who contributed to making each of the ten staples famous. While Smith provides an entertaining history of fashion classics and their origins-she is extremely knowledgeable about the subject-the narrow focus of the book minimizes its potential audience. Ten original line drawings are included. For libraries where there is a demand for books on fashion history.-Corey Newkirk, "Library Journal" Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

Library Journal

"Smith's endearing and quirky book centers on colorful myths, historical facts, meanings, methods and many other allures surrounding 10 wardrobe basics." — Publishers Weekly

From the Publisher