The New York Times Book Review
"A vivid portrait of 19th-century life. Like an intrepid detective, Strasdin follows each thread and reconstructs Anne Sykes’s life. Using a combination of highly illustrative prose and reproductions of fashion plates, the author details the evolution of fashionable silhouettes and helps us to envision how the small bits of fabric might have looked as complete garments. Strasdin’s detailed explication of Victorian-era dress is sure to delight the fashion history enthusiast, but The Dress Diary has much wider appeal. A compelling narrative that challenges the 'deep-seated perception of dress as superficial and inconsequential.'"
Guardian
"An extraordinarily rich record of middle-class Victorian life, both at home and abroad. A fascinating book."
Victoria Finlay
A vivid history of expansion and empire, all wrapped up in 2,184 pieces of cloth. If I ever were looking for a historical detective with whom to team up, Kate Strasdin would be at the top of my list.
The Observer
"A questing and poignant social history."
The Seattle Times
"An irresistible glimpse into fashion from nearly two centuries ago. It’s a life in fabric; a poignant illustration of something seemingly ephemeral that has nonetheless endured."
Judith Flanders
"The story of a singular woman. Kate Strasdin's forensic detective work has finally let Mrs. Sykes—and her book—speak again.”
The New York Times Book Review
"A vivid portrait of 19th-century life. Like an intrepid detective, Strasdin follows each thread and reconstructs Anne Sykes’s life. Using a combination of highly illustrative prose and reproductions of fashion plates, the author details the evolution of fashionable silhouettes and helps us to envision how the small bits of fabric might have looked as complete garments. Strasdin’s detailed explication of Victorian-era dress is sure to delight the fashion history enthusiast, but The Dress Diary has much wider appeal. A compelling narrative that challenges the 'deep-seated perception of dress as superficial and inconsequential.'"
Sunday Times
"Strasdin's painstaking detective work has uncovered many of the fascinating insights behind the fabric swatches contained in this unusual collection."
Lynn Knight
"Teeming with history and detail - a fascinating exploration of how even the smallest scraps of fabric can open up large stories.”
Clare Hunter
Intriguing and engaging. A fascinating and creative unravelling of Anne's life and times.
The Times
"Snippets of fabric, snippets of biographical detail, snippets of historical evidence—this is a book entirely made up of snippets and I found it irresistible."
The Guardian (London)
An extraordinarily rich record of middle-class Victorian life, both at home and abroad. A fascinating book."
Sunday Times (London)
Strasdin’s painstaking detective work has uncovered many of the fascinating insights behind the fabric swatches contained in this unusual collection.”
New York Times Book Review
A vivid portrait of 19th-century life.”
The Times
"Snippets of fabric, snippets of biographical detail, snippets of historical evidence—this is a book entirely made up of snippets and I found it irresistible."
null The New York Times Book Review
"A vivid portrait of 19th-century life. Like an intrepid detective, Strasdin follows each thread and reconstructs Anne Sykes’s life. Using a combination of highly illustrative prose and reproductions of fashion plates, the author details the evolution of fashionable silhouettes and helps us to envision how the small bits of fabric might have looked as complete garments. Strasdin’s detailed explication of Victorian-era dress is sure to delight the fashion history enthusiast, but The Dress Diary has much wider appeal. A compelling narrative that challenges the 'deep-seated perception of dress as superficial and inconsequential.'"
