This is essentially a guide to items of historical dress in British Museum collections. However since there is more surviving historical costume in this country than anywhere else in the world, it doubles as a dictionary of costume, providing information on where to find a specific garment. The book offers a discussion of the history and development of each garment; and lists and illustrates a range of examples housed in English, Scottish and Welsh museums or public collections. Arranged alphabetically, and with full cross-references, each entry is given a date, approximate measurements and the museum's acquisition number, where possible. A glossary of potentially difficult terms, and an annotated list of museums and their addresses are also included.