Classic Hollywood Style explores iconic looks from the golden era of Hollywood, covering 35 films from the 1920s to the end of the 1960s. Caroline Young looks at the history and social context of the costumes through stories from the production, photos, interviews and original costume design sketches, and tips on how to 'get the look' today. While we celebrate the glacial elegance of Grace Kelly and the skin-tight sexiness of Marilyn Monroe, behind every look on screen was the costume designer who shaped the image. In the golden age of Hollywood, designers like Edith Head, Adrian and Travis Banton became stars in their own right. Women queued up to see the latest Joan Crawford and Greta Garbo release to lust after the glamorous costumes the stars would wear on screen. Department stores shamelessly mass-produced copies of gowns, film magazines would preview the new looks and women ran up their own versions on their sewing machines. In the 1960s women lowered their hems and sported berets to look just like Faye Dunaway in Bonnie and Clyde. Even today, an article on the little black dress will inevitably make mention of Audrey Hepburn. Every one of these films has perfectly captured a moment of fashion zeitgeist or has become an indelible image of cinema, whether it is Garbo in a trenchcoat in A Woman of Affairs, Joan Crawford's shoulder pads in Mildred Pierce, Rita Hayworth's strapless dress in Gilda, James Dean's red windbreaker in Rebel Without a Cause or Steve McQueen's ivy league style in The Thomas Crown Affair. Through archived records, studio press releases, behind the scenes memos, costume designer sketches and notes, censorship records and articles from magazines of the time, this is a behind-the-scenes look at the classic costumes of the silver screen.

From choosing the right pair of eyeglasses to properly coordinating a shirt, tie, and pocket square, getting dressed is an art to be mastered. Yet, how many of us just throw on, well, whatever each morning? How many understand the subtleties of selecting the right pair of socks or the most compatible patterns of our various garments-much less the history, imperatives, and importance of our choices? In True Style, acclaimed fashion expert G. Bruce Boyer provides a crisp, indispensable primer for this daily ritual, cataloguing the essential elements of the male wardrobe and showing how best to employ them. In witty, stylish prose, Boyer breezes through classic items and traditions in menswear, detailing the evolution and best uses of fabrics like denim and linen, accoutrements like neckties and eyeglasses, and principles for combining patterns, colors, and textures. He enlightens readers about acceptable circumstances for donning a turtleneck, declaims the evils of wearing dress shoes without socks, and trumpets the virtues of sprezzatura, the artistry of concealing effort beneath a cloak of nonchalance. With a gentle yet firm approach to the rules of dressing and an incredible working knowledge of the different items, styles, and principles of menswear, Boyer provides essential wardrobe guidance for the discriminating gentleman, explaining what true style looks like-and why.

Tartan and Tweed is a comprehensive look at the chequered history of tartan and tweed from their origins in the Scottish Highlands to their reinvention, growing and continued popularity and use in contemporary fashion design, music, art and film. Both tweed and tartan are fabrics with a strong cultural identity and history. But they have been reinvented to create multiple meanings, particularly when used in street fashions and in haute couture to mimic or parody the aristocracy, and to act as a subversive symbol of rebellion. This lavishly illustrated book focuses on fashion over the last century whilst looking back at the journey these fabrics have made from traditional cloth to stylish fabrics. We follow the early popularity of tartan and tweed including the fabrics' connections from crofters and clans to aristocracy, and look at tweed's dramatic recovery during an economic crisis and its subsequent re-invention as desirable luxury fashion fabric. The book explores the use of tartan and tweed in fashion in the collections of leading designers including Vivienne Westwood, Alexander McQueen and Chanel who have used these textiles in a fresh, subversive way, while also paying tribute to their history. Making use of first person sources, historic documents, paintings and fashion photographs, this is a complete overview of tartan and tweed in Scotland and beyond.

A top knitwear designer offers thirty-five retro-inspired patterns that put a new spin on fashion’s timeless trends. In fashion, one day you’re in, the next day you’re out . . . and the day after that, you’re back in again. Designers are always referring to fashion’s rich history as they imagine its present and future, and retro looks remain ever-fresh as they are renewed—and restyled—for the next generation of wearers. That’s precisely what top knitwear designer Véronik Avery is up to in Knitting Classic Style. Mining fashion’s endless archive, Avery has created 35 smashingly contemporary garments that take their cues from decades and designers past. The collection of clothing and accessories Avery presents is organized into four thematic chapters that highlight women’s wear, men’s wear (and its influence on women’s and children’s clothing), traditional ethnic garb, and sportswear. Aimed at both beginning and more advanced knitters, the book’s projects range in difficulty from a simple drawstring purse, French beret, and Afghan-inspired slipper-socks to a shawl-collared cardigan, a geometric ski sweater based on a popular 1950s Native American design, and Avery’s own reinterpretation of the trimly elegant Chanel jacket. The author introduces each project by explaining its historical/cultural roots; Sara Cameron’s moody photos evoke the settings that have inspired Avery’s reworkings of the classics.

A history of "Ivy Style" in menswear, tracing the origins and diffusion of this enduring and classic fashion

Practical and stylish pieces for daily life! New American Knits offers garments that are casual but polished, equally appropriate whether running errands, at the office, or socializing with friends. Author Amy Christoffers takes her inspiration from the clean lines and elegant functionality of American sportswear and creates projects that have a classic nostalgic feel. In designing her fashionable modern uniform, Amy focuses on beautiful everyday sweaters, tops, and pretty accessories. Included are sections on texture and lace and pops of colorwork to add visual and knitterly interest. Projects feature traditional, seamless, and semi-seamless construction as well as detailed finishing. New American Knits has a "country house" feel with touches of heather grays, tweeds, slubby textures, and muted tones. The book is visually elegant with a streak of casual bohemian style, much like the projects themselves.

"The post-war period of the late 40's, 50's and 60's seems a golden, unhurried age, and it's to this era, with its mood of renewal, that we look for fashion inspiration. Drawing on old photographs, films and archives of knitting patterns to bring this period look alive, the designers whose work is featured in this book have updated and adapted classic designs to make them easy to wear, while at the same time being true to the spirit of the age. The collection encapsulates the feel for quality materials, lasting craftsmanship, classic looks and, above all, a real sense of style. The knitwear found here won't date in the passing of a season; it will improve with time and become a treasure in its own right. It features 30 original knitted pieces for women and men from top designers. It includes colored charts and diagrams, and clear knitting instructions. Beautiful photographs throughout capture the spirit of the post-war era and places it in a contemporary framework."--Publisher description.

These 20 patterns, ranging in difficulty from beginner to advanced, take knitters on a world tour of buttoned, clasped, and tied coats, jackets, and wraps. Inspired by open-front garments and textiles from around the globe--including Austria, England, Japan, Peru, and Norway--these figure-flattering designs bring a contemporary edge to a variety of knitting traditions. Step-by-step instructions and copious photographs illustrate how to use standard stockinette, garter, and cable stitches to create chic projects such as shepherd's frocks, tweed coats, Peruvian gauntlet wraps, and Faroese-patterned jackets. More advanced techniques for fanciful lace and colorwork and the history behind beach pattern is also included.

In this great new collection of handknit designs, Rowan's top men's knitwear designer Martin Storey and Royal College knitwear tutor Wendy Baker have teamed up to present designs for sweaters, jackets, slipovers, waistcoats, hats, scarves and gloves that men will really love! All have the hallmarks of heirloom knits - strong classic shapes, superbly tailored detailing, great but subtle toning and very masculine colourways - grey, navy, brown, olive, petrol blue, sage green - all in Rowan's superb natural wool and cotton yarns. With some wonderful variations on original themes, Wendy and Martin have found inspiration in retro favourites too, such as Fairisle and Argyll patterns, as well as traditional designs such as Guernseys and Arans and recreated them in soft, contemporary colour combinations, many of them simplified to make them easier to knit.