Woman as Decoration

The book treats women's dress as an element of interior and visual decoration, combining a historical survey of costume in art with practical guidance for modern dressing. It traces decorative tendencies from ancient and medieval art through the Renaissance and later periods to show how line, color, and background shape appearance. It sets out rules—appropriateness to occasion, knowledge of one's type, economy, and the art of elimination—and offers techniques for controlling physique and emphasizing strengths. Chapters cover attire for social events and activities and give methods for devising effective period and fancy-dress costumes. Emphasis is placed on costume's psychological effects and on saving time and money through informed costuming.