The Lost Art of Dress

A New York Times Bestseller

"A tribute to a time when style—and maybe even life—felt more straightforward, and however arbitrary, there were definitive answers." 

"A fascinating and valuable book."

"The writing is sharp; the research thorough; and the book's illustrations a lone are worth the price of entry."

"A fascinating read.... Highly recommended!"

"An important, even revolutionary book."

"Like another forgotten artifact, the hope chest, her...book is most delightfully and fragrantly packed."

"A witty look at well-dressed women and a defense of the classic home-economics course."

"If you love history as much as sewing, or are fascinated by the sewing the style manuals of the past, pick up a copy of The Lost Art of Dress."

"This entertaining read is funny, opinionated, and full of useful wisdom—much like the dress doctors themselves."

"An illuminating commentary.... Przybyszewski's fashion history shines a much-needed spotlight on a contingent of forgotten professionals and the role they played in dressing American women with style."

"If you love fashion, history, and geek out about sewing you'll love this book. It really is a fascinating read about some amazing women and should serve as inspiration to bring back beauty, thrift and style into every day fashion."

"[Przybyszewski's] wit and intelligence make this book as entertaining as it is informative."

"This book is a rare bird—a scholarly book aimed at a broad audience that is a ripping good read... whether or not you alter your wardrobe, you'll be fascinated by these admirable women who tried to make America more beautiful, one dress pattern at a time."

"Linda Przybyszewski's remarkable, enchanting, well-researched history of America at its most stylish reminds us that once upon a time we were classy and fabulous."

"An invaluable resource of inspiration. The Lost Art of Dress calls us to resurrect our stylish roots and bring tasteful beauty back to our everyday routine."

"The Lost Art of Dress by Linda Przybyszewski is a fascinating history about the 'Dress Doctors'—teachers, writers, retailers, and designers—who advised women how to dress appropriately. Her extensive research in more than 700 books and magazines provides a wide range of information about changing trends throughout the twentieth century. Entertaining and informative, this book is essential reading for all fashion history students as well as everyone interested in fashion."

"Linda Przybyszewski takes her readers on an imaginative journey through a largely forgotten universe of women writers in the twentieth century who wrote about the art of dressing well. The book is sprightly and well-written, and it suggests new directions for research in the history of fashion and of women. Przybyszewski offers useful critiques of the restrictive clothing of the nineteenth century, the sloppy clothing of the 1960s, the periodic infantilizing of women through dress design, and the increasing commoditization of products and pleasures. She mourns the loss of the elegance of the 1930s, when women looked both liberated and chic."

"This is an important work. In The Lost Art of Dress, dressmaker and historian Linda Przybyszewski skillfully delineates the rise of the Dress Doctors in the early twentieth century to their demise in the turbulent sixties. Przybyszewski excavated the lost texts of home economists and others who taught the art and science of dress through the application of five principles of art. Although Przybyszewski laments the decline of the teachings of the Dress Doctors during the 1960s, she sees their legacy in the recent rise of the craft of dressmaking and is encouraged by a renewed interest of Americans in the art of dressing well and with good taste."