Fashion from Paris had already set a precedent in the 19th century and was made known at that time through elaborately produced illustrated fashion magazines. These French publications were sent to numerous countries and soon appeared in other languages as well. Identical engravings and partially verbatim fashion commentaries serve as the starting point for this study of fashion terminology in four Romance languages. Angela Wipperfürth selected French, Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese excerpts to represent a complete women's wardrobe, from coats to lingerie, using the method of words and things. She begins by providing information on the sociocultural backgrounds and the history of fashion press. The richly illustrated presentation offers the reader a comprehensive picture through authentic textual material with accurate translations.