BBC Videos: History of Period Fashion

Filmed back in 1957, fashion historian Doris Langley Moore (who designed Katharine Hepburn's dresses for The African Queen) looks at fashion evolution and its source of inspiration using authentic period costumes. Each video is 14 minutes long.

(Clicking on image will take you to BBC's website where surprisingly, it's viewable by those of us outside the UK. Thanks to Jane Odiwe for mentioning!)

Men, Women and Clothes | How Fashions Come and Go
"They were probably quite unaware of the resemblance
between the lamp and the lady."

Men, Women and Clothes | Sense and Nonsense in Fashion

Comment on 1830's hairstyle: Everything announces,
"I don't have to do anything for myself. I have people to wait on me."


Men, Women and Clothes | Formal Clothes

~Samples of fashion shown in the video ~