Image credit: NPR.org
I enjoyed listening to this story on NPR recently about the robe volante, a complete departure from what women had been wearing during pre-French Revolution Versailles. This dress was a revolution in itself: "Down with the corsets and cages! Up with the robe volante! Full and comfy, in fancy fabrics or simple cottons, everyone could wear it — and they did. The 'revolutionaries' were young women of the court, merchants and dressmakers; the robe became a social leveler." (NPR.org)
The historical fiction novel, Madame Tussaud, which provides deep insight into the French Revolution, is a terrific read. The writer describes what led to this monumental event and the meaningful role that clothing played.
Photo credits: itvnews.com
I sure have enjoyed watching "Downton Abbey" and feel sad about it being over. The storytelling was wonderful, the cast was terrific, and of course the clothing, which evolved along with the times, caused me to me swoon.
Reading about the show's historical advisor, Alistair Bruce, in a Los Angeles Times article made me appreciate the care that went in to making "Downton Abbey" so special and precise. And I sympathize with him getting riled up about "slouchy, modern-day posture." Bruce elaborates: "If only we could take one lesson out of this otherwise terrifyingly starched era and just stand up straight. . . All men would be more handsome and all women more beautiful."
Image credit: iTunes
I sure enjoy listening to podcasts. Friends ask me when I find the time to listen to them, and I answer that I listen to them at the gym, during my morning walks, while I am doing chores at home, gardening, and in the car. Podcasts are great!
One I discovered this week is The Seams. Jackie Lyden, from National Public Radio, hosts this show about fashion and style. I like her decidedly non-insider, unsnooty demeanor and the variety of fashion related topics she explores. I encourage you to give it a listen!
While listening to a story on NPR recently, I learned of a very thoughtful and thought-provoking blog about fashion history, called "Threaded," from the Smithsonian Museum of all places! Go here to read some fascinating posts.
I listened to this story on NPR over the weekend, "If These Shorts Could Talk. . . New Book Tells 'Worn Stories.'" In the book, author "Emily Spivack compiles reflections from Rosanne Cash, Piper Kerman,
Marcus Samuelsson and others about the meaningful articles of clothing
stored in their closets."
When I work with clients, I get to hear a lot of stories about their clothing and accessories. Some stories are funny, many of them are sad, and all of them give me insight into their history and outlook on life. What do your favorite, "worn" clothes say about you?
Pictured above are, inexplicably, one my favorite pairs of shorts. I have had them for at
least 10 years and wear them happily each summer. They're from Old Navy.
Image Credit: bizjournals.com
In her book, The Lost Art of Dress, author Linda Przybyszewski acknowledges that some believe women should not place much importance on appearance or what to wear. She says, "I think we worry about what we wear anyway, and if we had some of the information that the Dress Doctors were teaching, then we would know what we wanted to choose, what effect we wanted to have, and how to actually make it.”
Image Credit: goodreads.com
On May 30, the public radio program, Here and Now, featured one of my all-time favorite stories, "A Look at the Dress Doctors." Go here to listen to the show or to read highlights and see photos.
Here is a nice tidbit from the book discussed on Here and Now, called The Lost Art of Dress: The Women Who Once Made America Stylish, by Linda Przybyszewski:
"Dress Doctors—taught American women how to stretch each yard of fabric and dress well on a budget. Knowledge not money, they insisted, is the key to timeless fashion."
I cannot wait to read this book, in which Przybyszewski writes: "As a glance down any street in America quickly reveals, American women have forgotten how to dress. We chase fads, choose inappropriate materials and unattractive cuts, and waste energy tottering in heels when we could be moving gracefully. Quite simply, we lack the fashion know-how we need to dress professionally and flatteringly."
Whenever I hear women and men complaining about the time and effort it takes to look good, I recall some wisdom from Tim Gunn:
Remember: if getting your fashion right were easy, everyone would look fabulous throughout history. And, as we know, it's never been easy and probably never will be. But that doesn't mean it can't be fascinating and a whole lot of fun.
In short, Gunn is saying that attitude is everything. I agree.
(Today is my mom's birthday. Thank you, Mom, for encouraging me to enjoy fashion and for all of our special shopping excursions.)
Pictured: HM The Queen visits the German Embassy in a Norman Hartnell gown. Photo Credit: Getty Images
Oh, what I would give to be in London right now. After visiting my friend Ena, I would head straight to Kensington Palace in order to see "Fashion Rules," an exhibit that "traces the evolution of royal style through the wardrobes of Queen Elizabeth, Princess Margaret, and, of course, Diana, Princess of Wales." Clothing can provide insight into particular periods of history, and I am sure this exhibit would be very interesting and educational.
Skirts are from Bodenusa.com
When I am giving talks to women about proper dress for a job interview and work, I often get asked what length skirts are appropriate. Style Bakery handles this question quite well here. The most flattering skirt length shows off the curve from the back of your calf to your ankle. Hence, skirts which hit just at, just above, or just below the knee are best in terms of being flattering. They are also appropriate for the working world. The second skirt from the top would work fine in a creative field or in a casual working environment.
My family gave me a Kindle for my birthday this month. At first I was less than excited since I favor old-school books, hardback or paperback. But after using it for a few weeks, I am quite attached to my Kindle. The book I am currently reading on it is wholly entertaining: A Vintage Affair by Isabel Wolff. This novel's protagonist is a vintage clothing store owner, and the plot revolves around her relationships with men, a dying woman, and her parents. Any lover of vintage clothing will be enamored with this book, since the author clearly knows her sartorial history and goes into great detail about the garments. She also understands the feelings people have for their clothing and how what we wear, or want to wear, affects us. According to my Kindle, I am 85% finished with the book. I will be sad when the story ends.
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