1940's Fashion: The Definitive Sourcebook

While there are quite a few things I like (a lot) about this book, the biggest and most frustrating stumbling block, for me, is the fact that the examples are not in chronological order. It's much harder to follow the progression of fashion trends when you have examples from 1940 facing something from 1948 and the next 2 page spread is from 1943, and so on. This is not remotely helpful for the primary purpose/reason I purchased this book. Also, as another reviewer mentioned, there is nothing at all in this book concerning men's fashion over the decade. (while not fashion, per se, the evolution and influence of military uniforms of the various belligerent nations on civilian fashion is pretty interesting)While fun to flip through and a great coffee table book, this most certainly is not "The Definitive Sourcebook" it's being marketed as and I'm back to hunting for additional, supplemental books to fill in the gaps

Beautiful book. I brought it as I have started developing a real passion for vintage fashion and was wanting to know more about the eras. This book gives a fantastic insight into history of 40's fashion. It seems very wordy at first but once you start looking through the book at all the pictures its great to have that little bit of history. Good quality pictures, a mixture of real life photographs and designer sketches.Very informative and makes a great coffee table book.

I love this book so much. It's a thick volume full of photos and drawings of hundreds of outfits from the 1940s. It includes high-fashion and everyday wear. The pages are smooth and high-quality, so the images are just beautiful. Perfect for period research or just gazing at and longing for a more fashionable time.

Beautifully produced and extremely thorough. An excellent resource for anyone studying the 1940's fashion scene. It is a difficult era because the War overshadowed so much of life that one tends to think fashion simply 'froze' in 1938 and suddenly came alive again in 1945 which Ms. Dirix shows is not the case. A well organized and visually stunning cavalcade of clothing and accessories. I very much recommend it.

This new book is absolutely chock full of beautiful images and gives a really unique overview of 1940s Fashion, from haute couture to ready-to-wear. Really enjoyed the fascinating introduction by Emmanuelle Dirix which contextualises what was happen at the time and how it related to the fashions of the time. Thoroughly recommended!

the pictures are great and if you love fashion this will be useful for inspiration

This book is an excellent catalogue of 40's fashion. The amount of images, both photos and fashion drawings, is helpful since the gradual changes in style are evident as the decade progresses. I bought the 30's one as well.

Love the pics and the interesting information.

I love this book. So many great photos and write ups. I did have this book in hardback but lent it out and it’s been lost. Wasn’t very happy at all. Nice replacement.

wunderschönes buch, über 500 seiten glamouröse und elegante mode aus den 40er jahren. chice farb- und schwarzweiß- aufnahmen und jede menge modezeichnungen, sortiert nach themen, kleider, abend, sport, etc. kaufempfehlung !

About 40%-50% photos the rest are illustrations, all women (no men or children outfits) so perfect for me. Very high quality, large book with lots of insight into the outfits worn in the 40's. I didn't want a text book or the history of fashion, just simply some great examples of how a 40's outfit should look.

Love this - already got the 20's and 30's one - delighted I have the 40's one - do they do a 50's one, can't see it anywhere? The 70's one I was disappointed with.

I love it. Read the other reviews and totally agree. Loads of pictures.