"[Dressed to kill] seeks to show naval uniforms from a new perspective because it is important that the development of uniform be viewed alongside contemporary civilian fashions. The essays at the beginning not only examine the progression of regulations but also, more significantly, place the uniforms in their economic, social and historical contexts. They are followed by a catalogue of selected uniforms from the rich collections of the National Maritime Museum, which serve to reinforce the themes drawn out in the essays. The last section of line drawings of selected patterns provides an insight into the construction of the garments."--T.p. verso.