The 1900s vs. Ironic T-Shirts

Dressing like the best decades, from comedian Patton Oswalt (via Zachariah).



...Which is rather fitting for this duo that I saw in Brooklyn over the summer.

Freaks and Tarts

I'm in Gettysburg! More to come on that, but it has already delighted me.

In the meantime, a few things I've come across on the web:

The Duchess of Devonshire's Gossip Guide to the 18th Century: Tart of the Week

The Human Marvels: A web history of freak shows, human oddities, and more. Beautifully designed page, as well.

"'Following the Fashion' a December 1794 caricature by James Gillray... This caricature satirizes the figure-type which is most flattered by high-waisted dresses, contrasting it with a body-type which was not flattered by the style..."

When You're Too Hip for this Century

When I was in Williamsburg the other day for the Brooklyn Brewery tour, I saw this gentleman walking down the street.



The one on the right, not fanny-pack short-shorts. You can't see the front, but his shirt was frilly. And most impressively, in true 19th century style, he was wearing his wool frock coat in 90 degree heat.

I'm heading to Las Vegas for a week. I'm going to the Neon Boneyard and the Liberace Museum, amongst other adventures, so I'm sure I'll have something to share when I get back.

A Comical Postcard from 1914

One final post on fashion, and we'll set it aside for awhile.

You'd Swim In These

These are WOOL. They were made to go IN THE WATER.

My friend Tea has read that while they were designing these proto-swim suits, they were considering putting lead in the hems to keep the skirts from billowing up in the water. LEAD.

This fashion plate is from July 1864. Did anyone actually swim in these? I'm not sure. I've never seen a photograph of one in use, not to say there isn't documentation out there somewhere. I have a feeling these were more for the rich and leisurely to lounge about the beaches in some cosmopolitan area. Like New York. Or Cleveland, for that matter.

If anyone has anymore info on mid-century 'bathing' practices, I'd be curious to hear.

Sarah Josepha Hale Thinks You Have no Sense of Fashion

Although the face of beauty changes, the pressure to attain that perfect beauty does not.In a time without the proliferation of communication that we have today, ladies had one primary source for thier fashion and social guidance: Godey's. Godey's Ladies Book was the Vogue magazine of the 19th century. Godey's had the same far reaching influence and it's editor the same power of an Anna Wintour.





Here is a qoute from Mark Twain's Life on the Mississippi (1850):


"...The chaste and innocuous Godey's 'Lady's Book,' with painted fashion-plate of wax-figure women with mouths all alike—lips and eyelids the same size—each five-foot woman with a two-inch wedge sticking from under her dress and letting-on to be half of her foot."

I think that's hilarious.

Something Old, Something New: The Day Decopage Became Cool

I just discovered a little shop on the Bowery: John Derian, the owner and designer, hosts a collection of decopage glassware that is not only fascinating, but well out of my price range:



This is from a series called “Relationships.” He preserves tiny bits of ephemera under glass…I’m, of course, crazy about it.



He also has a cool and affordable line of totes printed with mysterious images. I think I’m going to invest in one for spring.

And one last update for fall Fashion: Alexander McQueen wowed European audiences with his Witch and Wicca inspired outfits. Allegedly, he recently discovered he had an ancestor that was burned during the Salem Witch Trials. The clothes are out of this world.





Further reading:
Alexander McQueen Fall 2007 Runways Review
My Fashion Album

Fall Fashion Week: "She's a Racing Snail!"

Bringing back the frock coat with Comme des Garcons Fall 2007 collection.



See more at My Fashion Album.

Fall Fashion Week: The Virgin Mary Updates Her Look

From the John Paul Gaultier Spring 2007 collection.

See more of My Fashion Album.

Fall Fashion Week: Pirates!

Friday is the first day of New York City Fashion Week. In the spirit of the Week, I've created a Fashion Album at New York Magazine's Website, highlighting collections that pull their inspiration from the history books.





Pirate Fashion From Anna Sui

I'll be updating my Fashion Album with more looks throughout the week.

Fashion: The South Will Rise Again

My friend Tom is in town. He got a new winter hat:






My roomate pointed out it looks more than a little like this: