Costuming Reference Books

Men's 17th & 18th Century Costume, Cut & Fashion
by R. I. Davis
Copyright 2000 by Players Press.
This book covers men's garments from 1630 to 1800. There are graphs to help in cutting the garments. Photos of actual garments plus detailed drawings and information on decoration, buttons, etc. are all very helpful. There are also photo from films where good reproductions were used (Barry Lyndon, The Madness of King George, etc.). Janice Dallas got it at discount for $65. Recommended by Janet Wilson Anderson and Janice Dallas.

The HOAX Fashion Formula
Dress the Body Type You Have to Look Like the Body You Want!
by Mary Duffy
ISBN 0-89586-581-5
If you are larger than a size 10, this book is gold. Unfortunately, it is out of print and difficult to find. Pictures show you why you don't want to wear a particular style on your body type, and line drawings show you which fashions look best on your body. Recommended by Carole Parker.

Color Me Beautiful by Carole Jackson
Publisher: Ballantine Books NY
ISBN 0-345-29015-1
Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 79-28456
Color photographs can give you an idea of what your complexion is and what colors work for you. This book is mainly aimed at white women. Recommended by Carole Parker.

The Crafter's Guide to Glues
by Tammy Young
ISBN 0-8019-8611-7
Copyright 1995 by Tammy Young
Good information and fun illustrations along with projects that can be done by a crafter or costumer.

Cuts of Cloth
by Ann Sayre Wiseman
ISBN 0-316-94853-5
ISBN 0-316-94852-7 pbk.
Copyright 1978 Ann Wiseman
The typestyle used is a large cursive that looks sort of what I call hippie-dippy in styling. Good basic information for the quick and dirty costumer. Lots of wrap and tie garments.

The Costumer's Handbook
by Rosemary Ingram and Elizabeth Covey
ISBN: 0-013-181-2556
Patterns, photos, and illustrations, plus excellent text. Shortcuts; hints on fabrics and colors; tips on substituting available items for historical ones (i.e. shoes) and altering them to look authentic. Also tells how to make quick, good looking props with a hot melt glue gun and all sorts of materials. Recommended by Toni Lay.

Stage Costume Techniques
by Joy Spanabel Emery
ISBN: 0-13-840330-9
Everything from how to set up your workroom through making costumes, accessories, and props. Recommended by Toni Lay.

Whole Costumers Catalogue
Karen Dick, Editor
CBTB Press
P.O. Box 207, 2860 Main Street
Bealsville, PA 15313-0207
castleb@pulsenet.com
A primary source for finding costuming items. Listing includes stores and shops in the U.S. and Canada; some with reviews of the stores. Be aware that the last edition, 14th Edition, was published in 1998, but many of the stores are still operating. Even older editions are still useful.

Page maintained by Carole Parker