- What is an earthquake gown?- Who wore eelskin masher trousers?- What did the word "dudes" mean in the 16th century?A Dictionary of English Costume by C. Willett Cunnington, Phillis Cunnington and Charles Beard was originally published in 1960. A monumental achievement and encyclopaedic in scope, it was a comprehensive catalogue of fashion terms from the mid-medieval period up to 1900. It was reissued and updated several times, for the last time in 1976. For...

- What is an Apollo knot?- Who wore a Welch wig?- When were Zouave jackets the height of fashion?This new edition of The Dictionary of Fashion History further updates the landmark work of C. Willett Cunnington, Phillis Cunnington and Charles Beard. Featuring over 60 new and revised entries on diverse topics such as the Onesie, Brothel Creepers and the Birkin Bag, this edition is even more comprehensive and brings this costume historian's bible fully up to dat...

Why did the flushing toilet take two centuries to catch on? Why did Samuel Pepys never give his mistresses an orgasm? Why did medieval people sleep sitting up? When were the two 'dirty centuries'? Why did gas lighting cause Victorian ladies to faint? Why, for centuries, did people fear fruit?All these questions - and more - are answered in this juicy, truly intimate history of the home.Through the bedroom, bathroom, living room and kitchen, Lucy Worsley explores what people...

**SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER****RADIO 4 BOOK OF THE WEEK****'An astonishing feat'Christina Patterson, Sunday Times'An inspiring and moving sideways look at history'Eithne Farry, Sunday Express**An eloquent blend of history and memoir, Threads of Life is an evocative and moving book about the need we all have to tell our story.From political propaganda in medieval France t...

First published in 1954, Christian Dior reveals the secrets of style in his indispensable guide that covers everything from what to wear to a wedding and how to tie a scarf to how to walk with grace. From accent to zest, running through darts, hats, knitwear and silk - there is much to discover here for students, fans of vintage fashion, and anyone with an interest in style and timeless elegance.

**"Meticulously researched and beautifully illustrated . . . indispensable to anyone interested in the era." —Tasha Alexander, New York Times–bestselling author of the Lady Emily seriesWhat did a Victorian lady wear for a walk in the park? How did she style her hair for an evening at the theater? And what products might she have used to soothe a sunburn or treat an unsightly blemish? USA Today-bestselling author Mimi Matthews answers these questions and ...

When Beatrix Potter died, few people knew the full story of her life. Margaret Lane's remarkable piece of literary detective work, originally published only three years after Beatrix's death, told her story for the first time. Extensively revised in 1985 to include new material that had come to light, and now available in this eBook format, it remains essential reading for anyone interested in the background to the author of the famous Peter Rabbit Tales.

'Delightful... Pavey writes with warmth and spirit, and brings this space to life' Penelope Lively'Captivating and grounded... If this book was not as much a pleasure to write as it is to read, I'll eat my hat and gardening glove'ObserverAfter years spent living amid the thrum of London, Ruth Pavey yearned to reconnect with the British countryside and she endeavoured to realise her long-held dream of planting a wood.Touring...

Beyond the Gatehouse is a lighthearted, witty but factual biographical account of the eccentric lifestyles of the builders and residents of some of England's best-known country houses.Extraordinary buildings require extraordinary people, and over the centuries our historic houses have produced more than their fair share of oddballs. Insulated from the outside world by vast wealth, rolling acres and the social status that a title implies, aristocrats have a...

_______________'The Morville Hours is the most beautiful book I have read in years' - Nigel Slater'A truly remarkable book that is both intimate and universal. We are left with a renewed sense of what it is to be human' - Daily Telegraph'This is gardening writing at its best. Swift's prose brings the garden alive in all its details, scents and meaning ... Evocative, heartfelt and magical'

The largely untold stories of innumerable, rather humble, lives spent ‘in service’ are lying just below the surface of many great houses.The physical evidence can be seen in surviving servants’ quarters, the material of their everyday life, even their uniforms and possessions.• From the cook, butler and housekeeper to the footman, lady's maid and nanny, this is a fascinating glimpse behind the scenes of some of Britain's grandest houses.• An entertaining social histor...

This vintage book contains a detailed treatise on embroidery in the Tudor and Stuart eras. With details on history, development, popularity, and influence, this volume is highly recommended for those with an interest in the history of the textiles industry, and would make for a fantastic addition to collections of related literature. Many vintage books such as this are becoming increasingly scarce and expensive. We are republishing this book now in an affordable, high-quality edition compl...