Ladies of the 1960s and ‘70s often looked pretty in polyester (and paisley, too).

Twenty years of fashion trends for women are covered in Trina Robbins’ “Tomorrow’s Heirlooms,” a fun and funky look at the threads you might have had hanging in your closet.

The decades were defined by dresses, bellbottoms, hot pants, and disco clothes in a variety of dazzling print designs. Robbins writes that the social issues of midcentury America helped “interpret the moods that helped to popularize these new styles.”

The book examines clothing from every variety, from the more conservative items like granny dresses and patchwork designs, to the more bold and original designs from designers like Oscar de la Renta and Diane Von Furstenburg. By the time you’ve devoured this tome, your eye will be perfectly trained to spot these fashions in thrift stores (and you’ll even learn the difference between ‘vintage’ and ‘retro.’ Yes, there is one!).

Besides the historical context in which Robbins places the fashion, readers will also find helpful the book’s foreword, written by Richard Martin of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute. All around, Robbins provides a fun, colorful look back at some of the most fascinating styles of the 20th century

About the author

Author Trina Robbins had a boutique in New York in the 1960s before she moved to San Francisco and continued her love affair with vintage fashions.

About the publisher

A family-owned, independent publisher of high-quality nonfiction books since 1974, Schiffer has published thousands of titles on the diverse subjects that fuel our readers’ passion. From our traditional subjects of antiques and collectibles, arts and crafts and military history, Schiffer has expanded its catalog to publish books on contemporary art and artists; architecture and design; food and entertaining; the metaphysical, paranormal and folklore; and pop and fringe culture, as well as books for children.

Schiffer Publishing is located in Atglen, PA. Website: www.schifferbooks.com.

Size: 8 ½” x 11”, 396 color photographs, 160 pages, ISBN13: 9780764303548, binding: softcover, price: $29.95