The Royal Wardrobe peek into the war..., Rosie Harte
The Royal Wardrobe peek into the war..., Rosie Harte
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The Royal Wardrobe: peek into the wardrobes of history's most fashionable royals

Author: Rosie Harte

Narrator: Rosie Harte

Unabridged: 10 hr 10 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Headline

Published: 06/08/2023


Synopsis

'I loved this book!' - Alison Weir

'[A] lively, gossipy forage through royal wardrobes' - Daily Mail

'A sparkling history' - Dr Kate Strasdin

Peek into the wardrobes of history's most fashionable royals

Why did women wear such heavy and uncomfortable skirts in the Elizabethan era?
What the hell happened to Charles II's pubic hair wig?
How did Princess Diana's revenge dress become so iconic?

Fashion for the royal family has long been one of their most powerful weapons. Every item of their clothing is imbued with meaning, history and majesty, telling a complex tale of the individuals who wore them and the houses they represented.

From the draping of a fabric to the arrangements of jewels, the clothing worn by royals is anything but coincidental. King at just nine years old, Edward VI's clothes were padded to make him seem stronger and more manly; and the ever-conscious Elizabeth II insisted her coronation gown include all the representative flora of the commonwealth nations, and not just that of the United Kingdom. Yet reigning monarchs are not the only ones whose fashion sensibilities could mean make or break for the crown.

Original and enlightening, Rosie Harte's complete history delicately weaves together the fashion faux pas and Vogue-worthy triumphs that chart the history of our royals from the Tudors to the Victorians right through to King Charles III and our twenty-first-century royal family. Travelling far beyond the bounds of the court, The Royal Wardrobe reveals the economic, social and political consequences of royal apparel, be it breeches, tiara, wig or waistcoat.

Each stitch has a story, you just need to know how to read them

About Rosie Harte

Rosie Harte is a fashion historian and TikTok creator. During lockdown, she began to transfer her knowledge of art and fashion history into bitesize content for TikTok, and now runs a hugely successful account (@theroyalwardrobe) with a world-wide following. She has worked with museums across the country to bring their collections to a new audience and contributed to documentaries on royal life and fashion. She loves to explore the unconventional, the scandalous and the untold, introducing her viewers to the royal family's rich and fashionable history.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Juliew. on September 11, 2023

A peak into the royal wardrobe was exactly that.From the Tudors to Megan Markle and lots of royals in between.I found I was a bit disappointed with this.It was well written but I expected more of a comprehensive view than a piece of clothing for this monarch or two for that one.It was interesting bu......more

Goodreads review by Plainsboro Public Library on March 09, 2024

"The Royal Wardrobe" by Rosie Harte is a captivating exploration tailored for enthusiasts of both the British monarchy and fashion aficionados alike. Delving beyond present-day royals, Harte's meticulous research unveils the sartorial splendor spanning across iconic eras like the Victorian period. S......more

Goodreads review by Christina on January 02, 2024

3.5/5 - good overview but the editor should be flogged for how many times this author used the word “sartorial.” It felt like every other paragraph was just sartorial.......more

Goodreads review by Rachel on July 10, 2024

Generally, when I read a non-fiction history book, the focus is on a person/family or the socio-political happenings of the era(s). The Royal Wardrobe (TRW) is focused on clothing, specifically how royal families in the UK have used it. Rosie Harte writes in the introduction, “Satisfying people’s exp......more

Goodreads review by Charlotte on October 19, 2023

Very approachable and readable writing style. My only real criticism is that the discussions of the garments themselves are extremely vague. This is frustrating as the descriptions of key "fashion moments" throughout the reigns of these monarchs and their social/political implications/impacts are ex......more


Quotes

[A] lively, gossipy forage through royal wardrobes from Tudors to the present incumbents Daily Mail

I loved this book! It's stunning and stylish, perfect for anyone who likes royalty and clothes. It's the riveting story of our kings and queens from the Tudors to the present day, told through what they wore. A fascinating piece of social history from a wonderful storyteller

For centuries, the monarchy have recognised that clothes matter and it is through these many royal lives that Rosie Harte has written a sparkling history of royal wardrobes. From King Henry VII's crimson velvet mantle of 1485 to the twenty first century princess she charts the evolution of royal style and some of the monarchy's most colourful characters

Harte's comprehensive history of royal apparel is captivating. Woman's Own