Adorned in Dreams

While tracing the social and cultural history of fashion and its complex relationship to modernity, Elizabeth Wilson covers topics including fashion and city life, feminism and fashion, and oppositional dress.

When Adorned in Dreams was first published in 1985, Angela Carter described the book as ‘the best I have read on the subject, bar none.’

From haute couture to haberdashery, and ‘deviant’ dress to Dior, Elizabeth Wilson traces the social and cultural history of fashion and its complex relationship to modernity. She also discusses fashion’s vociferous opponent, from the ‘dress reform’ movement to certain strands of feminism.

Wilson delights in the power of fashion to mark out, or subvert, identity. This well-established fashion classic brings the story of fashionable dress up to date, exploring the grunge look inspired by bands like Nirvana, the ‘boho chic’ of the mid 90s, and retro­dressing. It also explores meanings of dress, from the veil to David Beckham’s pink-varnished toenails.

Re-issued for contemporary readers, Adorned in Dreams now also includes a new preface and afterword by the author, as well as an updated further reading list.