Publisher's description and from the front flap:
From the costly velvets and furs worn by kings to the undyed wools and rough linens of the peasantry, the clothing worn by the various classes in the Middle Ages played an integral role in medieval society. In addition to providing clues to status, profession, or geographic origin, textiles were a crucial element in the economies of many countries and cities.
Much of what is known about medieval fashion is gleaned from the pages of manuscripts, which serve as a rich source of imagery. This volume provides a detailed look at both the actual fabrics and composition of medieval clothing as well as the period's attitude toward fashion through an exploration of the illuminated manuscripts in the collection of the J. Paul Getty Museum. The last portion of the book is dedicated to the depiction of clothing in biblical times and the ancient world as seen through a medieval lens. Throughout, excerpts from literary sources of the period help shed light on the perceived role and function of fashion in daily life. The book accompanies an exhibition of the same name on view at the J. Paul Getty Museum from May 31 to August 14, 2011.

From the back cover:
Explore medieval fashions through illuminated manuscripts, from the luxurious attire of royalty to the modest clothes worn by the peasantry to medieval depictions of ancient and biblical garments.

Contents:
page 7 Foreword
9 Introduction
13 Chapter I. Dressing for the Moment
13 Stuffs of Clothing
23 Experiments in Tailoring
35 National Styles
44 Criticism through Dress
50 Clothing a Tale: Romance of the Rose
57 Chapter 2. Dressing for the Job
57 Dressed to Rule
65 Serving God
74 Academic Awards
78 Serving Man
86 Outfitting for the Seasons: Spinola Hours
93 Chapter 3. Dressing for Another Time, Another Place
93 Biblical Times and the Holy Land
104 Ancient Greece and Rome
110 Garbing a Hero: Book of the Deeds of Alexander the Great
118 Glossary of Dress and Fabric Terms
120 Suggestions for Further Reading.