The Cut of Women's Clothes 1600-1930, Norah Waugh

£55.00

The Cut of Women's Clothes 1600-1930, Norah Waugh

Name: The Cut of Women's Clothes 1600-1930, Norah Waugh
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 6180
Price: 55.00 GBP
Availability: InStock

Write Review

In stock

£55.00

Shipping is calculated at checkout.

Publication: London, Faber and Faber Limited, 1973.

Formatting: 4to, pp. 336.

Condition Report: Very Good. The publisher's terracotta cloth binding remains remarkably sharp and robust, with unblemished boards and firmly pointed corners. The spine is square and tight, featuring a striking black title label with brilliant gilt lettering that shows no signs of oxidation or rubbing. The text block is structurally sound, with the top edge remaining largely clean, barring some very light, age-appropriate dusting. Internally, the pages are crisp, bright, and free of foxing, though a faint liquid tidemark is present at the upper margin of the preliminary leaf, not extending into the text. The original dust jacket is vibrant and well-preserved, exhibiting only minor shelf-wear at the extremities and a very discreet clear tape repair at the head of the spine.

Catalogue Note: This 1973 reprint of Norah Waugh's definitive reference work offers an exhaustive survey of women's historical costume. The volume is richly augmented with intricate line diagrams and scaled patterns expertly rendered by Margaret Woodward, providing an invaluable technical foundation for historical dressmaking and theatrical costume design.

While copies of Waugh’s work frequently appear on the secondary market given its status as a staple reference, examples that retain their original dust jackets in such crisp, structurally sound condition are notably uncommon. The work remains an essential acquisition for students of social history, costume designers, and historians of dress.

The Cut of Women's Clothes 1600-1930 is a remarkably detailed visual history that traces the evolution of the female silhouette over three centuries. By analyzing rare museum specimens, early technical manuals, and contemporary journals, Norah Waugh reconstructs the foundational architecture of women's fashion, from the rigid, sculptural bodices of the Jacobean era to the relaxed, fluid lines of the 1920s. Complete with scaled patterns, cutting diagrams, and evocative contemporary quotations, this authoritative guide reveals how shifting social values, economic developments, and practical necessities dictated the ever-changing geometry of women's dress.

Book Condition: Very Good

Book Authors: Norah Waugh

Book Publisher: Faber and Faber Limited

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Non-Fiction

Genre: Fashion & Photography

Book edition:

Signed: No

Book Pages: 336

Book Publication Year: 1973

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover

Illustrator: Margaret Woodward

Book Series: N/A

Country/region of manufacture: Old Woking, Surrey, United Kingdom

Book Dimensions:

Book Condition Guide

We stock thousands of books in a wide range of conditions. To make things clear and to help you know exactly what to expect, Please refer to these condition categories to understand the condition of the book you will receive.

Condition	Description
New	A brand-new, unread and professionally handled book. Carefully preserved from publication to purchase, these books are offered in the best attainable condition. This grade applies to recently published titles that have not entered long-term storage.
As New	The book is in pristine, original condition as if just published. No signs of use or handling. The dust jacket (if present) is equally flawless. This grade applies to any book that has remained untouched in storage for years.
Fine	The book is close to As New. It remains bright and attractive, but could show minor imperfections to the boards and/or dust jacket (if present). Its pages are typically clean and unmarked.
Near Fine	The book has a number of small flaws, i.e. slight rubbing to the edges, or tiny chips or creases to the dust jacket (if present). Its pages may have faint marks, or creases that are barely perceptible — nothing that detracts from their overall condition.
Very Good	The book maintains its structural integrity, and has no major flaws such as tears to its binding or pages. It may, however, show signs of careful use, handling, or storage — small marks and creases, light foxing. Its dust jacket (if present) remains fully intact, but small tears may be present.
Good	A book that remains intact and readable with complete text pages, but shows moderate signs of wear and use to both the book and dust jacket (if present). It may have noticeable creases, nicks, or stains, and the spine likely shows fading, bumping, and rubbing. There could be writing, underlining, and other marks on some pages, though the majority will be clean and tidy.
Fair	A book with significant wear or damage. The text pages will be complete, but there may be heavy underlining, highlighting and staining throughout, and the book’s endpapers, half-title, and copyright pages could be damaged or missing. The binding could be loose, and the dust jacket (if present) may have notable scuffs or tears. These copies are usually of interest for content, signature(s) or scarcity.
Poor	A heavily worn book whose value lies in its complete and legible text. A poor book will have substantial defects — loose joints or hinges, detached covers, loose and/or missing pages, and could be heavily soiled. A poor book is also known as a reading copy, and although compromised, can hold historical or bibliographic significance.