Book Review: Victorian Fashions & Costumes from Harper's Bazar 1867-1898

[Nameless]

Binding: softcover
Pages: 320
Print: black & white
Size: 23.5cm x 31cm approximate
Content type: pen & ink illustrations
Content genre: fashion clothing & accessories
Publication: 1974
ISBN: 13-978-0-486-22990-4 or 10-0-486-22990-4
Language(s): English
Recommended readers: pen & ink illustrators, fashion & costume designers
Can be purchased at:
Amazon (US | CA | UK | DE | FR | IT | JP) | Labyrinth Books(for locals)


Victorian Fashions from Harper’s Bazar is exactly what it sounds like; a compilation of illustrations that were featured in the magazine from the years 1867 to 1898 when Victorian clothing was in style. It’s an extremely thick softcover book at a whopping 320 pages(not including the introduction). The cover and interior pages are printed on paper thinner than the average artbook so it’s a bit more delicate, but the contents more than make up for it.

The book begins with a brief introduction into the history of the Harper’s Bazar magazine and is divided into 4 main categories: Bustles & Puffs, Natural Form & Cuirass Body, Return of the Bustle and Hourglass Figure. Each category is specifically divided and organized in ascending order according to the year. This is rather unique, as it gives the reader to view the general evolution of the fashion trends of the time as the magazine progressed. Each and every illustration is indexed with footnotes, names and explanations as to what the item or clothing piece is to allow the reader to identify the item. There are also occasional pages that have longer paragraphs explaining in detail the construction of the items in the illustrations themselves, right down to what fabric it was made from and (despite being black and white)in what colour. The end of the book also includes a full glossary of terms used in the footnotes.














The illustrations in themselves are quite stunning. Artists who are familiar with pen and ink drawings will be quite amazed at the sheer amount of detail that has gone in to them. The illustrations can serve as a very nifty reference for artists who like pens as it utilizes and combines numerous pen techniques to create various effects of depth such as stippling and cross hatching. It’s important to note that none of the text goes into any details about how the illustrators actually went about doing their work but focuses only explaining the actual items depicted.







The illustrations are all very detailed, many of which span two pages. Double page spread illustrations are generally more scenic, outdoors illustrations with multiple figures or indoor party scenes with multiple figures. While the majority of illustrations are of women, men and children are featured as well.



The one and only negative side of the book is that since it is a compilation of very old, archived illustrations there are a number of illustrations(generally of the double page spreads) that have visible crackling lines, spots or creases going through them due to the age of the originals. This may add some of that “olden day charm” to the book for some readers, or might be a bit of a sore to those who are a stickler for details. But for most of us who would just be looking at the overall image its probably something you’d never notice.

Overall a fantastic book for people interested in fashion, costume designers, pen & ink illustrators or if you just plain love things with intricate detail.