“Originally published in France between 1876 and 1888, Auguste Racinet’s “Le Costume Historique” was the most wide-ranging and intelligent study of clothing ever published. Covering the world history of costume, dress, and style from antiquity through the end of the 19th century, the great work – “consolidated” in 1888 into 6 volumes containing nearly 500 plates – remains, to this day, completely unique in its scope and detail”
- Taschen
I could look at these forever, fascinating! Love all the hats – you could put a lot of them into a sci-fi film with no questions – especially the wacky stuff in picture 8. All the explicit bums must have come as a bit of a shock in the Renaissance.
I feel exactly the same about them, Estelle. I feel the fashions of time haven’t even begun to be rediscovered.
“the fashions of time”, what a lovely phrase!
If I was a costume designer for the movies, I’d want these books!
I want them anyway! The illustrations are stunning.
Thanks for posting. This is really interesting.
I have these books for sale/auction, volumes I-VI