Why’d They Wear That? : Fashion as the Mirror of History – Hardback

“Fashion is the mirror of history.” -Attributed to Louis XIV

Did you know that in the 12th century B.C. fierce Assyrian warriors rode into battle wearing an ancient form of fishnet stockings? Or that Thomas Becket, the ill-fated Archbishop of Canterbury, wore a hair shirt filled withbugs?

Why people wore what they did is an illuminating way to look at the social, economic, political, and moral climates throughout history. In this lighthearted and approachable narrative, kids and adults alike will learn about the outrageous, politically perilous, funky, disgusting, regrettable, life-threatening, and yes, sometimes practical and lovely creations people have worn over the course of human history, all the way up to the present day. Get ready to chuckle through centuries of fashion dos and don’ts and information that answers the questionsWhy’d They Wear That?