The Little Black Dress and Zoot Suits

November 1, 2011

Gr 5 Up-These well-written and appealing books place clothing and fashion, from underwear to headgear, in the larger context of American history, emphasizing that for most of our past, clothing signified status and reinforced societal roles, especially for women. The series includes information about the clothing of many groups, notably Native Americans, African Americans, soldiers, and children. It also discusses regional and ethnic differences in dress and traces how clothing styles and forms reflected changes in society. Large, attractive period illustrations and color and archival photos and boxed quotes enhance the texts. This series is certain to draw both researchers and browsers.

Copyright 2011 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

October 1, 2011
Grades 7-10 This entry in the Dressing a Nation: The History of U.S. Fashion series covers a time of rapid change in the American fashion industry, from an era of frugal thriftiness necessary in the face of the Great Depression and WWII to one informed by a brand-new youth culture, movie stars, and post-war leisure time. The book hasfive sections: Women's Everyday wear, Women's Haute Couture, Men's Clothing, Hairstyles, and Accessories, and finally, Designers, Photographers, and Models. There's plenty for fashion-savvy readers to digest. This is the time frame in which famous namesYves Saint Laurent, Givenchy, Lacosteare sure to ring out to young fashionistas. The book's sharp, bold, rather tidy design features eye-catching art from the period. Zoot suits, poodle skirts, and bikinis, as well as pervasive use of the zipper, are explored as turning points in American ready-to-wear clothing. This engaging title is topped off by a lengthy bibliography and further reading section for true fashion devotees.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2011, American Library Association.)