Fashion 101: A Crash Course in Clothing

From School Library Journal

Adult/High School—Recognizing fashion styles and trends is one thing; putting them together in new and interesting ways is an altogether different animal. This handy guide helps with both the recognition of fashion dos and don'ts as well as with the development of new—and true—personal styles. It is part history, part fashion adviser, part shopping manual, and all fun. Each item of female clothing, from dresses to accessories to pants to underwear, is covered, with great black-and-white and color illustrations. Sections for each garment include what it looks like, the designer who first introduced it, celebrities who made it hot, and how it can be worn today. Who would have thought that parachute pants could be made rockin'? This would make a good addition to browsing collections, especially in larger libraries and those that have an abundance of fashion-forward or aspiring-designer teens.—Charli Osborne, Oxford Public Library, MI
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From Booklist

How does a midiskirt differ from a pencil skirt? What’s the history of hot pants? Presented in a spacious format and the language of a fashion magazine, this breezy, informative overview of women’s clothing and accessories will illuminate even seasoned fashionistas. Divided into apparel categories, from underwear to overcoats, the chapters introduce archetypal styles (e.g., sailor pants and skinny jeans) with clear line drawings, background history about each style (“Who Made It”), the cultural icons who popularized it (“Who Made It Hot”), and tips for making outfits (“How to Rock It”). The up-to-the-minute fashion sensibility and casual language may date quickly, but any teen interested in clothing will devour this compendium of quick historical facts and practical advice, such as “the key to rocking parachute pants is not looking like you’ve just woken up from a generational slumber.” A sure bet for reluctant readers. Grades 9-12. --Gillian Engberg