Dressing a Nation: The History of U.S. Fashion

What would you have worn if you lived during the Colonial era? It depends on who you were! For example, many Native American women made skirts or dresses out of deerskin, and they completed the look with jewelry crafted from metal, shells, stones, pearls, or animal bones. But in European settlements, women of fashion dressed in many layers. One of the first layers was a stay-a corset-like garment made of whalebone that tied or laced around the chest. On top of that, they put on a bodice, a waistcoat or a jacket, and several heavy petticoats. Read more about Colonial fashions-from wigs to beaver-pelt hats and linen caps-in this fascinating book!

What would you have worn if you lived during the American Revolution or the early 1800s? It depends on who you were! Women wore layers and layers of undergarments, including corsets, chemises, and petticoats, and they accessorized with gloves, hats, parasols, and fans. Men also flaunted plenty of accessories, including neckties, top hats, walking sticks, and pocket watches. Read more about Revolutionary and early 1800s fashions-from pantaloons to silk stockings to tricornered hats-in this fascinating book!

What would you have worn if you lived during the 1930's, 1940's, and 1950's? It depends on who you were! For 1930's high fashion, nothing beat Coco Chanel's women's suit-a slim, straight skirt with a matching boxy jacket. And for a classy evening, men donned black tuxedos and velvet smoking jackets. Read more about depression era and wartime fashions-from the form-fitting little black dress to polo shirts, stylish snoods, and chic chignons-in this fascinating book!

What would you have worn if you lived during the Civil War era? It depends on who you were! For example, upper-class women wore tight corsets, bustles, and wide hoop skirts to fancy balls. The layers weighed almost 30 pounds (14 kilograms)! For everyday, whether at home or nursing soldiers, women put on multiple layers of simple fabrics. Some daredevils sported women's trousers-called Bloomers-to make a statement on women's rights. Read more about wartime fashions of the 1860's-from ankle boots to parasols and tiaras-in this fascinating book!

What would you have worn if you lived in the Old West? It depends on who you were! For example, Native Americans made clothing from rabbit fur, deerskins, buffalo hides, and plant fibers. They decorated their clothing with beads, porcupine quills, fringe, and feathers. However, cowboy gear included leather chaps, boots, and bandanas. Cowboys used their tall, wide-brimmed hats for protection from sun and rain and sometimes to carry water. Read more about fashions of the Old West-from buckskins to sunbonnets to sombreros-in this fascinating book!