13 Fashion Styles Children Should Know

Gr 6–10—The new freedom in women's clothing that began with the banishment of the corset is displayed in this decade-by-decade introduction to fashions of the past century. Overlapping time lines give a broad look at the trends, covering 30 to 40 years each and highlighting significant designers as well as major historical influences. The generously sized layout varies from a single spread for the 1980s to the addition of a Harajuku spread for the 1990s. Content for each section includes significant "fashionistas" and designers, plus makeup, hairstyles, and accessories trends. The pages are light on text, but the colors are bold, and there are plenty of photos. Occasional fashion tips, activities, and "Test Yourself" insets add depth and versatility. The concluding 21st-century ("Look What I'm Wearing") section references the overarching influence of social media and asserts that today, anyone can be a trendsetter. Readers will find inspiration galore, plus plenty to explore in this well-designed look at a century of fashion work.—Carol S. Surges, formerly at Longfellow Middle School, Wauwatosa, WI