54 Costume History

From togas to tailcoats: a fashion time machine:
Auguste Racinet, The Complete Costume History
The evolution of style from antiquity to 1888
Originally published in France between 1876 and 1888, Auguste Racinet’s Le Costume historique was
the most wide-ranging and intelligent study of clothing ever published. Covering the world history of
costume, dress, and style from antiquity through the end of the 19th century, the great
work—“consolidated” in 1888 into 6 volumes containing nearly 500 plates—remains, to this day,
completely unique in its scope and detail. Racinet’s organization by culture and subject has been
preserved in TASCHEN’s magnificent and complete reprint, as have excerpts from his delightful
descriptions and often witty comments. Perusing these beautifully detailed and exquisitely colored
illustrations, you’ll discover everything from the garb of ancient Etruscans to traditional Eskimo attire
to 19th century French women’s couture. Though Racinet’s study spans the globe from ancient times
through his own, his focus is on European clothing from the Middle Ages to the 1880s and this subject
is treated with exceeding passion and attention to detail. The Complete Costume History is an
absolutely invaluable reference for students, designers, artists, illustrators, and historians; it is also an
immensely fascinating and inspirational book for anyone with an interest in clothing and style.

CONTENTS:
Part I – The Ancient World (Egypt, Assyria, Israel, Persia and Phrygia, Greece, Etruscan,
Greco-Roman, Rome, Barbarian Europe, Celts and Gauls)
Part II – The 19th Century - Beyond the Borders of Europe (Oceania, Africa, Eskimos, North
American Indians, Mexican Indians, South American Indians, China, Japan, India, Ceylon, Middle
East, Orient, Turkey)
Part III – Europe 400-1800 (Byzantium, France-Byzantine, Poland, Italy, Spain, Germany, France,
England, Holland)
Part IV – Traditional Costume Till the Late 19th Century (Scandinavia, Holland, Scotland, England,
Germany, Switzerland, Russia, Poland, Hungary, Greece, Italy, Spain, Portugal, France)
Part V - Patterns and Templates

Introduction by Françoise Tétart-Vittu, head of the graphic arts department at the Musée de la Mode et
du Costume de la Ville de Paris. She studied art history at the Sorbonne and is specialized in costume
history of the 18th and 19th centuries. The author of many books on costume history and curator of
exhibits, she lives and works in Paris.

Reviews "Ambitieux et exhaustif projet que le Costume historique d'Auguste Racinet auquel les
éditions TASCHEN offrent une seconde jeunesse. Soit une sublime édition des meilleures pages de
cette somme retraçant l'histoire du costume, de l'Antiquité au XIX° siècle et parue initialement en
France entre 1876 et 1888"
L'Optimum, Paris
France