This entertaining book by an early 20th-century authority on fashion not only describes what Englishwomen wore in the 19th century but also attempts to explain why they clothed themselves as they did. In a light, amusing and readable fashion, C. Willett Cunnington considers the importance of being "in fashion" and the longing to imitate in appearance those in the same social group. The desire to be sexually attractive is also examined, as is the counter-effort, to conceal sexual features. A carefully researched work on a fascinating subject. "