Fabulous Fashion book.

These volumes on fashion are divine. 'Fashion: A History from the 18th to the 20th Century' features the collection of the Kyoto Costume Institute.
It is quite hefty in size, but it's so wonderful I ignored this fact when considering that I would have to collect it off a stage in front of lots of people and somehow carry it down the horrid metal stairs, but that's just me.
If the size scares you there is a much smaller (handbag size even), though less detailed book featuring the collection too, which is also fabulous.