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What Shall I Wear?
The What, Where, When, and How Much of Fashion, New Edition with a Foreword by Tory Burch
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Check link for latest rating. ( 126 ratings, 23 reviews)
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Format: Hardback
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What Shall I Wear?
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?
This book is ideal for fashion enthusiasts, designers, vintage lovers, and anyone interested in cultivating a stylish yet practical wardrobe rooted in American fashion history.
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See more"First published in 1956, What Shall I Wear? is revolutionary fashion designer Claire McCardell's collection of fashion wisdom and philosophy, and a vivacious guide to looking effortlessly stylish. This new edition of the sought-after classic features a foreword by iconic designer Tory Burch and a color insert of photos from McCardell's collections."--Back cover.
First published in 1956, What Shall I Wear? is revolutionary fashion designer Claire McCardell's collection of fashion wisdom, philosophy, and vivacious guide to looking effortlessly stylish.
Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and
still learning, it may not be perfect - your
feedback is welcome!
Description
First published in 1956, What Shall I Wear is revolutionary fashion designer Claire McCardell’s collection of fashion wisdom and philosophy, and a vivacious guide to looking effortlessly stylish.
Claire McCardell, the revolutionary fashion designer credited with originating "The American Look," designed for the emerging active lifestyle of women in the 1940s and ’50s. She was the originator of mix-and-match separates, open-backed sundresses, and feminine denim fashion. McCardell also started the trend for ballet flats as a wartime leather-rationing measure. Spaghetti straps, brass hooks and eyes as fasteners, rivets, menswear details and fabrics—they were all pioneered by McCardell.
Her Monastic and Pop-over dresses achieved cult status, and her fashions were embraced by working women, the suburban set, and high society alike. First published in 1956, What Shall I Wear provides a glimpse into the sources of McCardell’s inspiration—travel, sports, the American leisure lifestyle, and her own closet—and how she transformed them into fashion while still approaching design from her chosen vantage point of usefulness.
A retro treat for designers and anyone who loves fashion, both vintage and contemporary, the book is teeming with charming illustrations and still-solid advice for finding your own best look, creatively shopping on a budget, and building a real wardrobe that is chic and distinctive. What Shall I Wear is a tribute to the American spirit in fashion.
Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?
The New York Times praises McCardell's book for accessorying the mind as much as the wardrobe, noting its enduring value beyond trends. Harper's Bazaar calls it the best and most considerate fashion book, highlighting its wit and relevance in today’s trend-driven world, especially with Tory Burch's introduction in the latest edition.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9781419763830
Publisher: Abrams
Format: Hardback
Date Published: 15 September 2022
Country: United States
Imprint: Abrams Image
Illustration: 25 color images, 16-page insert
Contributors:
- Foreword by Tory Burch
- Afterword by Allison Tolman
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Width: 152.0mm
Height: 229.0mm
Weight: 250g
Pages: 160
About the Author
Claire McCardell (1905–1958) was an American fashion designer. In 1990, Life named her one of the 100 most important Americans of the 20th century, and in 1955, she was on the cover of TIME. She attended Parsons School of Design in New York and studied in Paris. As head designer of Townley Frocks, she was one of the first American designers to have name recognition. She was the recipient of two Coty American Fashion Critics’ Awards and won the first American Sportswear Designers Award from Sports Illustrated. Her work is in museums across the country and has been the subject of retrospectives at the Smithsonian and the Fashion Institute of Technology.
Tory Burch is an American designer known for beautiful, timeless pieces. Founded in 2004, her collections include ready-to-wear, handbags, footwear, accessories, jewelry, home, and beauty. Empowering women is Tory’s guiding principle, underpinning her design philosophy and the Tory Burch Foundation.
Allison Tolman is the vice president of Collections and Interpretation at the Maryland Center for History and Culture (MCHC) in Baltimore, Maryland. Formerly the associate curator of the Fashion Archives at MCHC, Tolman became fascinated with Claire McCardell as she delved into the deep collection of clothing and personal papers housed there.
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