Moda męska w XIX i na początku XX wieku. Fashionable, dandys, elegant

Men’s Fashion of the 19th and the Beginning of the 20th Century. Fashionable, Dandy, Man of Fashion

This companion book to the exhibition “Fashionable, Dandy, Man of Fashion: Men’s Fashion of the 19th and the Beginning of the 20th Century From the Collection of the University of Warsaw Library”, written by Lilianna Nalewajska, with an introduction by Professor Anna Sieradzka, is a pioneering contribution to Polish costumology. It is the first publication where fashion (especially men’s fashion) is presented using solely drawings, advertisements and articles from the era’s periodicals, both general and those concerned specifically with fashion and tailoring.

The book might be compared to the now classic works by Stella Blum, one of the most prominent American costumologists. It contains a literary part, which introduces the reader to the history and specifics of 19th and early-20th century men’s fashion (The World of Men’s Fashion, or A Short Historical Introduction; Man from Head to Toe, or Accessories and Additions to Men’s Clothing; Topical Fashion; All the Gentleman’s Needs, or Tailoring and the Fashion Market; The Polish National Costume and Uniform), as well as an extensive illustrative part (A Stroll in the Kingdom of Fashion, or A Dictionary’s of Men’s Clothing; Clothes for Boys, or A Child into a Young Man; A Chronicle of 1845 Men’s Fashion According to the Journal of Parisian Couture).

The publication is an invaluable source for costumologists, costume and fashion designers, stylists, and other enthusiasts of fashion, wishing to get to know it first hand from old newspapers and magazines.

Keywords: world of fashion, tailoring, men’s clothing, national costume, uniform.