I’ve never been fashion forward.  I like what I like and as long as it’s comfortable I will have it on regular rotation.  I was drawn to Killer Style: How Fashion has Injured, Mamed & Murdered Through History by Serah-Marie McMahon and Alison Matthews David because I have never really understood the temptation to suck and squeeze ourselves into ridiculous clothing all for the sake of fashion.  I was totally enthralled and fascinated! There were many things I had already heard about such as lead makeup and corsets but so much more I have learned such as comb bombs and mercury hats.

Divided into three parts, we learn about tragic fashion choices affecting heads, middles and legs.  Everything from when scarves strangle to when skirts hobble, each page provides the reader with interesting tidbits about the various deadly fashions and how those fashions have created some of the most recognized shapes and characters in the world.  With interesting graphics and photos from the times, you get a really interesting glimpse into how fashion has evolved. With all of the source texts listed at the back, you will be able to learn more about each of these injurious fashion choices.

If you are at all familiar with Alan Bradley’s mystery series featuring a young chemist and amateur sleuth, Flavia DeLuce, you will instantly be able to make a connection between her and some of these terrible fashion mistakes.  I could just picture her thoroughly enjoying this book and putting some of its findings to the test. On an aside, if you haven’t heard of the series, check it out, fabulous writing full of humour, mystery and intrigue.