Yay! The end of the fashion terms beginning with the letter “c” and on to the letter D! These pages cover corset covers, cuffs, curves, cross stitching, culottes, cottons and more.
Cope thru Debutante – from The Language of Fashion
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The Language of Fashion 1939 Fashion Dictionary
Step back in time to 1939 with The Language of Fashion, a remarkable dictionary that serves as a snapshot of vintage fashion terminology during one of the most stylish eras in history. This comprehensive guide, created by Mary Brooks Picken, offers an unparalleled glimpse into the world of mid-20th century fashion. It features detailed definitions, pronunciation guides, and an exploration of thousands of fabrics, designs, and accessories, making it an essential resource for enthusiasts of vintage fashion, costume history, and design. From delicate lace patterns to tailored silhouettes, this dictionary captures the fashion language that shaped an era known for its elegance and innovation.
Every page of this historical treasure reflects the trends, artistry, and craftsmanship that defined the period, providing both practical knowledge and aesthetic inspiration. Complete with illustrated explanations of styles like the Spanish Heel, halo hats, and Directoire costumes, it is invaluable for modern collectors, designers, and historians seeking to better understand and identify vintage clothing. As you explore these timeless definitions, you’ll develop a deeper appreciation for how fashion has evolved while discovering the words that once defined its most iconic moments.
The Language of Fashion by Mary Brooks Picken 1938
I am so excited to get The Language of Fashion by Mary Brooks Picken (1938 edition) as an early Christmas present! I am even more thrilled by my friend’s thoughtfulness. Even more excited that this book’s copyright has apparently expired (according to my search on the U.S. government copyright site)…. so I can scan the pages!
Last pages of The Language of Fashion
What a cool treasure, to find a fashion book published at the dawn of World War II. It’s been interesting to expand my fashion vocabulary, and to learn so many new things about the history of fashion.
Twill Weave to Yarns
Almost at the end of this fashion dictionary! I’m a bit relieved but also a little sad. I’ve learned SO much about vintage clothing identification and fashion terminology, but this is one of the most boring things ever to scan, because it’s like… reading and scanning a dictionary 😛 When I finish with this self imposed project, feel free to call me a total weirdo.
Types of Stitches thru Tunics & Turbans
Ever wonder how to name or identify the stitching that you might find on pieces of vintage clothing? Here are some excellent definitions, descriptions, and illustrations for types of stitches used in clothing construction and decoration. Referring to these drawings and definitions has helped me to identify and describe vintage clothing.
Skirts thru sportswear – definitions and illustrations for vintage clothing identification
It’s interesting to see the types of skirts, sleeves, and sportswear illustrated and defined! Hopefully this helps you in identifying and describing vintage clothing… I can’t help but read thru this fashion dictionary and learn as I scan and post these pages!
Timeline of Historical Fashion silhouettes thru the ages – Types of Satin continued
I find this fashion dictionary’s timeline of silhouettes thru the ages to be interesting, because people in certain eras interpret describe history differently than at other times. History is subjective, to a degree, if only because of the process of curating and deciding what to include or exclude in a synopsis. It’s interesting to see what a fashion expert writing this dictionary thought was important, and the descriptions they used, as compared to more modern historical perspectives.
3 more scans from the Language of Fashion, a 1930s fashion dictionary
My scanning got interrupted today. Here are just 3 pages defining such things as robe d’intrenieur (a hostess gown), ruche, rumba costume, saque (and the 1930s sack garment), different types of sashes, ending with defining the various types of satin.
Nets thru Robe de Style, and information about Rayon
As I’m recovering from my wonderful New Years celebrations last night… I’m posting 18 more scans from the 1938 fashion dictionary, The Language of Fashion. These pages cover nets (continued) to Robe de Style, with several informative pages between, including a lengthy and informative page about Rayon. Did you know that (in 1938) there are four different processes for making Rayon …
Types of Necklines Defined. Fashion Terminology, Lambswool to Nets
Defining and illustrating various types of necklines. How useful to describing and selling vintage clothing online, as well as when buying it!
Lace identification guide and illustrations, and I – Lambskin
Wow. It amazes me how many different kinds of lace there are, and this fashion dictionary goes thru the pains to illustrate and describe some pretty obscure types! I hope that this is helpful for modern lace identification on vintage clothing and miscellany.
Types of heels to Hug Me Tights – Fashion Dictionary Scans
Here are more pages from The Language of Fashion dictionary. Of most interest to me was the illustrated and defined types of heels. In 1938, it looks like what I think of as a “stiletto” was called a Spanish Heel. I hope it helps with your identification of vintage and modern shoes!
Different types of hats, illustrated and defined.
Among other things, these next 10 pages define and illustrate the different types of mens and womens hats. Special emphasis seems to have been placed on the types of hats that were fashionable for women in 1938 (including the halo, mushroom, skimmer, profile, sailor, Chou, cartwheel, and bumper brim hat styles).
Different types of fancy dress and other pages from the Language of Fashion
Here are 12 more scans from The Language of Fashion, a fashion dictionary published in 1939. I found the “different types of fancy dress” most interesting in these pages, and funny that it includes a Disney drawing of a dwarf (from Snow White) to illustrate and define a Dwarf Costume.
Décolletage, dots, Types of dresses, and other fashion definitions
These pages contain many useful fashion terms and definitions! Illustrated is a directoire costume, Dolly Verde Costume (1870), different types of dots (differentiating between those applied chemically, woven, or embroidered), and more.
Different types of Coats illustrated – from The Language of Fashion
Different types of coats, illustrated and defined. These include the Box Coat of the 1930s, the Blouse coat of the 1920s, coachmens’ coats, 17th century buffcoat, coolie coat, Balmacaan, Duster early 1900s, Raglan coat, Women’s Cutaway Coat, MacFarlane, and more types of coats.
These pages also cover different types of coifs and collars, including the Bertha collar of the 1920s, the Chin Collar of 1916, and the Buster Brown collar.
Carcanet thru Cloth Yard – From The Language of Fashion
Here are more fashion definitions from the “C” part of this 1930s fashion dictionary. It’s quite a feat to be scanning it all!
These pages define different types of cheques, chemises, and chingons.
Different Types of Caps and Capes Illustrated- from The Language of Fashion
These next four pages are primarily defining and illustrating the different types of caps, and then several types of capes are shown.
Cap types include the Charlotte Corday Cap, the Juliet Cap, the Mary Stuart Cap, the Tarboosh, and Canadian Tuque.
Types of Blouses and More from The Language of Fashion, a Fashion Dictionary (Blouses thru Caps)
Dive into the fascinating The Language of Fashion: A Fashion Dictionary (1939) to uncover the evolution of blouses and other iconic garments throughout history. This resource, brimming with precise definitions, beautiful illustrations, and historical fashion insights, is perfect for vintage clothing sellers and history enthusiasts alike. From 19th-century basque bodices to 1930s bouffant skirts, each garment tells a story about its era. Read on to explore how fashion trends from the past continue to inspire today’s vintage styles!
The Language of Fashion: Dictionary scans aal through blotch
Here we go! I plan on scanning and posting this whole fashion dictionary, The Language of Fashion by Mary Brooks Picken (published in 1939). If you’d like the full rez scans, they will be available for a reasonable price, when I finish. So far, only about 200 more pages to go 🙂
Fashion Pronunciation Key, Preface, and Table of Contents
There is the preface and table of contents from The Language of Fashion. The preface contains a pronunciation key, old fashion words vs new fashion words, a note about how color is described in the book (since it was just published in black and white), as well as a paragraph about the use of trademarks.
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