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How to Read a Suit: A Guide to Changing Men's Fashion from the 17th to the 20th Century

£24.99

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How to Read a Suit is an authoritative visual guide to the under-explored area of men’s fashion across four centuries. With overviews of each key period and detailed illustrations for each new style, every entry includes annotated colour images of historical garments, outlining important features and highlighting how styles have developed over time, whether in shape, fabric choice, trimming, or undergarments. This lavishly illustrated book is the ideal tool for anyone who has ever wanted to know their Chesterfield from their Ulster coat. Equipping the reader with all the information they need to ‘read’ menswear, this is the ultimate guide for students, researchers, and anyone interested in historical fashion.

Author/Artist/Designer

Lydia Edwards

Pages

232

Dimensions

18.92cm x 1.47cm x 24.99cm

ISBN

9781350071209

Colour

Product code

160701

Book Format

Softback

Delivery

 

Our standard delivery charges and estimated timescales are as follows. Selected product exceptions apply; see product details. International deliveries may also be subject to customs fees, tariffs or taxes upon arrival, which are your responsibility.

Standard delivery per order
UK
£5 – or FREE for orders over £60
5-8 working days
Europe & Northern Ireland
Temporarily suspended while we update for GPSR
Temporarily suspended while we update for GPSR
USA
Temporarily suspended for a change in tariff regulations
Temporarily suspended for a change in tariff regulations
Rest of World
£30
10-14 working days

Custom prints

 

Each print is made to order and dispatched separately to other V&A Shop products, for UK delivery only. The charges and estimated timescales below are in addition to our standard delivery charge when bought together with a V&A Shop product. However, delivery is free for all orders over £60.

Custom print delivery (UK only)
Unframed
£9 per order – or FREE for orders over £60
6-10 working days
Framed
£15 per print – or FREE for orders over £60
6-10 working days

 

Returns

 

An extended returns window is granted for purchases over the Christmas period. Orders placed from Saturday 1 November 2025 can be returned until Tuesday 20 January 2026, subject to our usual eligibility criteria.

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The following items are excluded from our returns policy and cannot be refunded unless faulty, damaged, or not as described:

  1. Custom prints and other items made to your specification or personalised;
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About the Exhibition
Fashioning Masculinities

Fashioning Masculinities: The Art of Menswear

At a moment of unprecedented creativity in men's fashion and reflection on gender, this exhibition​ explored how designers, tailors and artists – and their clients and sitters – have constructed and performed masculinity, and unpicked it at the seams.