No item of clothing has endured for longer than the dress. Yet the last century alone has seen the most radical changes of style—hemlines swinging from ankle to thigh, outlines alternating between the body-hugging and the bell—and our fascination with the frock has not gone away. From Gres’ draping to Dior’s New Look, from Mary Quant’s mini to Hussein Chalayan’s mechanical marvels, this book looks at the dress in 20th-century fashion. Thematic chapters—Changes, Feminine, Sex, Must-Haves, Fantasy, Classical, and Art—set out the inspirations and implications for each new change alongside the stunning photography. It has been more than 80 years since Coco Chanel invented the little black dress, but most women still have one in their wardrobes today. It’s been decades since women discovered trousers and separates, but many women dream of wearing a glorious, glamorous gown at least once, whether it’s on a Hollywood red carpet, or on her wedding day.

No item of clothing has endured for longer than the dress. Yet the last century alone has seen the most radical changes of style—hemlines swinging from ankle to thigh, outlines alternating between the body-hugging and the bell—and our fascination with the frock has not gone away. From Gres’ draping to Dior’s New Look, from Mary Quant’s mini to Hussein Chalayan’s mechanical marvels, this book looks at the dress in 20th-century fashion. Thematic chapters—Changes, Feminine, Sex, Must-Haves, Fantasy, Classical, and Art—set out the inspirations and implications for each new change alongside the stunning photography. It has been more than 80 years since Coco Chanel invented the little black dress, but most women still have one in their wardrobes today. It’s been decades since women discovered trousers and separates, but many women dream of wearing a glorious, glamorous gown at least once, whether it’s on a Hollywood red carpet, or on her wedding day.