The Royal Wardrobe

By: Rosie Harte

Narrated by: Rosie Harte

'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©2023 Rosie Harte (P)2023 Headline Publishing Group Limited

I loved it!

The author provides plenty of detail in the history but not so much that you get bored. She does an excellent job of throwing in interesting stories about the historical royals and demonstrates how much fashion truly mattered.

Loved

I loved this book. it was super interesting and the author is very enthusiastic and excited to share the information. I love history and seeing a different side is always enjoyable.

Interesting insight

Excellent reference to how clothing can speak volumes. Revenge dresses, hidden notes in clothing to express sentiments about the wearer.

Highly Anticipated and Better Than Expected

I pre ordered the hardcover as I have followed Ms. Harte on IG for a while and love her content. I knew she would do her research and she did. I appreciate how the facts of the styles and times were added to the personal stories of the people and they why’s of what they did as individuals. It took the audiobook to get me to finally finish the book and I’m glad I did. Hearing the author read it makes it so much better. They emphasize what they wanted emphasized in the book. Well worth the time! I hope there is a second book in the works!

Not for Me

Overall I did not enjoy this book at all. I would have liked to return it but believe that I may have had it in my library for too long.