Um, you guys know that bodice ripper is considered insulting by romance
writers, right? Kind of like costume nazi among historical clothing
researchers. And since I'm a published romance novelist (science fiction, so
the clothes aren't a problem) and have been researching historical clothing for
more than two decades, I feel qualified to make the comparison.
As far as getting the dress correct on book covers, in 1993 Christina Dodd
became infamous because of a cover that went to press with the heroine having
THREE ARMS. If Avon, the leading US publisher of historical romances, couldn't
get the number of limbs correct with all their editors and a full art
department, do you really think they even care if the dress details are correct?
For the record, the dress sucked; 14th century kirtle with bell sleeves
gathered at her left wrist in a ruffle--yes, a ruffle--at one right wrist
without a ruffle, and no cuff, gathering band, ruffle, or sleeve visible at all
at the other right wrist. The hero is wearing a Templar tunic, or it might be a
white tunic with a red Maltese cross on it (cue eyelid twitch).
Of course, that book is a collector's item now and resells for hundreds of
dollars, but still, they failed at counting to two.
Got seams in the wrong place...visible zipper lines...wrong kind of lacing for
the period...neckline that defies physics? Well, yes.
Does she have two arms? Hey, it's all good.
Valerie Robertson
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