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Posts Tagged ‘Covid-19’

Fashionable Quote of the Week by Gary Angel, Britex Fabrics

Posted in Fashion, Uncategorized, Vintage, tagged , , , , , , , on August 24, 2020| Leave a Comment »

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There aren’t that many independent stores left … It’s not just about Union Square, but everywhere in the country. If people want specialty, creative businesses to survive, people have to support those businesses. We’re not going to survive unless people come out to support us … It’s amazing how many people will come to the door and say we love that you’re still in business … They’ll say you’re the same people who served my grandmother 30 years ago, my mother 20 years ago.

Gary Angel, San Francisco attorney.

This quote is from an article by Alyssa Pereira in the San Francisco Chronicle, August 12, 2020. Click here for the full article. 

Mr. Angel is married to Sharman Spector, the second generation proprietor of Britex fabric store in downtown San Francisco.

Britex is heaven for those of us who love textiles, sewing, and fashion. The most beautiful of fabrics and notions from around the world are stacked and hung and artfully displayed within the two story Britex store on Post Street. Not only that, but this family-run business has been a part of San Francisco history for 68 years.

When Covid-19 hit and California shut down, the downtown shop shifted to online sales. Now they offer curbside pickup. But for them and all small businesses everywhere, it’s challenging.

I agree with Mr. Angel, that it’s up to us to support small businesses as much as we can. And when it comes to fabrics, we really don’t want to lose one of the few quality fabric stores left in the Bay Area.

Not long after the shutdown I was working on a project and I desperately needed a particular sewing notion to continue. Britex came to the rescue! I shopped online and had the tool in my mailbox within a week. I really appreciate that quick and friendly service.

How about a sewing project? Masks anyone? Britex is selling kits, which includes all you need to make six masks. Visit online: https://www.britexfabrics.com/

Thank you, Britex. You are a San Francisco treasure!

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Must-have Accessory: The Mask

Posted in Events, Fashion, Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , , on August 18, 2020| 1 Comment »

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Spotted in a local neighborhood window. It’s not a great photo, but it is a great message.

Everyone looks great in a mask because wearing a mask says: I respect myself and my community. I’m doing what I need to do to stay safe and keep those around me safe, too. 

It’s as simple as that.

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Fashionable Quote of the Week by Tim Gunn

Posted in Events, Fashion, Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , , , , , on June 1, 2020| 2 Comments »

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I wear my mask. What does yours look like?

People need to wear masks; they need to social distance. They need to be rigorous and responsible about this. This is not something to be taken casually or lightly … You could kill people or you could be killed yourself. 

Tim Gunn, fashion icon and host of Project Runway and Making the Cut. Gunn was recently on the radio interview show, Fresh Air with Terry Gross.

Everyone’s favorite fashion icon, Gunn shared what he’s been wearing while sheltering-in-place: sometimes pajama bottoms with a plain white t-shirt and a navy blue robe, but he says he would never step outside his NYC front door in such a casual ensemble. When he goes out to the corner store he wears a turtleneck sweater and dark wash jeans. For Zoom meetings he dons a sport coat and tie.

Gross asked if he wore a fashionable mask and he explained that he didn’t want to bother with having to consider colors or pattern. A plain medical mask goes with everything.

Good point, although, I have to admit that if I were a fashion designer I’d be working on a line of matching mask and skirt/dress/pants/jacket.

Yep, I’d be all over that! Because Covid-19 isn’t going away anytime soon and therefore, neither are masks.

 

 

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Holiday Weekend During the Pandemic

Posted in Events, Fashion, Uncategorized, Vintage, tagged , , , , , , , , on April 10, 2020| Leave a Comment »

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Image: Decades of Hats by Sue Nightingale. Schiffer Publishing. 

 

There will be no Easter parades this year but we can still don our Easter bonnets while making the best of the holiday at home. 

Happy Easter!

Happy Passover!

 

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Fashion Distraction: The Farthingale

Posted in Arts, Events, Fashion, Uncategorized, Vintage, tagged , , , , , , , , on April 7, 2020| 1 Comment »

How about a little fashion distraction?

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the fashion history class I’m taking was on hold for two weeks while the instructor figured out how to move it online. Well, we’re back at it now and I’ve been reading about the hoop skirt called farthingale.

In mid-16th century Europe, skirts for women became more rigid. Up until then, layers of petticoats were worn to create shape, but to achieve the desired stiffness and the cone shape, more support was needed.

Enter the farthingale. Made of whale bone, cane, or steel, farthingales graduated in size from waist to hem and were sewn into a petticoat.

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In addition to the rigid cone shape skirt, ruffs around the neck were popular as well as a jeweled belt called a demicient, that hung from the V-shape waist all the way to the hem of the skirt. Image, c. 1584.

This look was a favorite of the Spanish, who didn’t give it up for years while England later adapted the hoop into different shapes such as the bum roll, which gave more bulk just under the waist (see image below).

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A fancy lady at a ball sporting the a bum roll in addition to the farthingale underneath her skirt. c. 1582. Image from Survey of Historic Costume (Fairchild Books)

 

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Image from Fashion: The Definitive History (DK Publishing)

 

This week we have our second exam. I have to say I enjoy studying for these exams (we have three) because the subject is so fascinating and of course, I appreciate the distraction.

Remember, Keep Calm and Keep Your Distance.

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What to Wear to a Pandemic: At Home Attire

Posted in Events, Fashion, Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , , on March 31, 2020| 2 Comments »

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Festive satin lounge wear lifts my spirits as does the sparkly ring I have on.

Changing out of street clothes after I return home is something that I’ve always done, for a couple of reasons. One – it’s more comfortable. Two – I find it keeps my nice street clothes nice.

So, I have a small wardrobe of “at home attire.” It’s comprised of comfy cotton flannel pants, long sleeve t-shirts, and reassigned sweaters that are a bit tattered. I also have some pajama style lounge-wear and I usually top everything with a scarf or shawl.

In warmer weather I sport skirts with short-sleeve t-shirts, or I have a selection of simple cotton dresses. Even at home, it feels better to be “put together.” Lately, I’ve also been wearing my jewelry. What the heck – I have it, I like, I wear it!

Now that most of us around the globe are staying home, we’re probably not dressing. Perhaps even staying in our pajamas. Isn’t that kind of depressing? It helps to change into something different every day and show up at our home offices, laptops, or Zoom meetings looking our best under stressful circumstances.

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Michael Beller, Library Manager at Orinda Library, looking dapper while  working from home.

Librarian Michael Beller is doing just that. Working from home, he says that if he’s in a phone meeting or doing chat, he’s sporting his signature bow tie. “Even if they can’t see me, I feel more professional.”

I like that!

Remember, Keep Calm and Keep Your Distance. 

 

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Fashionable Quote of the Week by Angelique Corthals

Posted in Events, Fashion, Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , , , on March 30, 2020| 2 Comments »

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There’s not a lot of information of how long COVID survives on textiles, but lots of places on your textiles can contain metal or plastic. If you’ve touched a contaminated surface with your clothes, sitting in a subway, leaning against a pole, there’s a chance you might bring that back home.

Angelique Corthals, a biomedical researcher and professor of pathology at John Jay College. (This quote is from an article in the New York Times, March 29, 2020. By Sanam Yar. Click here for the full article.)

(Note: the belief is that the virus could live on metal and plastic surfaces three to five days.)

Ms. Corthals also says that’s it’s a good idea to change out of your street clothes once you’re home.  I say that since we don’t know how long Covid-19 lives on textiles, it couldn’t hurt to also spray our street clothes with alcohol.

Remember, Keep Calm and Keep Your Distance. 

 

 

 

 

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What to Wear to a Pandemic

Posted in Events, Fashion, Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , , on March 26, 2020| 1 Comment »

IMG_20200319_143040154When I was growing up, my mother had hanging in her closet a cashmere coat, and sitting on the floor underneath the coat was a pair of black apres ski boots in suede. She would tell me that this was her “emergency outfit.” In case of a fire or an earthquake or some other dramatic event that required a quick exit from home (in the middle of the night), she knew what to grab. The heavy coat was for warmth and protection and the boots were sturdy and waterproof. Both were comforting. It made sense to me.

I thought of mom’s armor outfit last week when I was getting ready to leave the house on essential errands. (California has been under a shelter-in-place command since March 17th.)

What’s my emergency outfit?

Like my mother I go for warmth, protection, and comfort. I chose my back hoodie by Champion. Simple and cozy, I like the hood nestled around my neck and although warm, it’s not heavy or bulky. I also slipped on a pair of black leggings. I don’t wear leggings very often but these are kind of silky, comfortable and easy to move in. For color I added a silk flower brooch and a light blue beret, which, by the way, has antique buttons sewed on along the edge. Simple flat ankle boots in black for easy walking.

Finally, I swiped on red lipstick and put on a pair of snappy sunglasses. I was ready!

It’s interesting to note that if it was just normal day (before COVID-19), I would not have chosen this outfit. Most likely I would have worn a skirt and blazer or perhaps my cape. An ensemble that would have required some effort to wear.

I believe clothing provides more than just covering. It boosts confidence and offers both physical and emotional comfort.

Remember, Keep Calm and Keep Your Distance. 

 

 

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Fashionable Quote of the Week

Posted in Events, Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , on March 23, 2020| 2 Comments »

 

Keep Calm and Keep Your Distance. 

 

It seems that keeping your distance cannot be said often enough. Along with:

Stay home if you’re sick. 

Wash your hands.

Observe the shelter-in-place command and go out only for groceries, prescriptions, and medical appointments, or to take care of a family member. (Walks are ok and important for us as long as we keep at least six feet away from others.)

 

Right now this is what individuals can do to help stop the spread of Covid-19.

Keeping calm is also important. Take deep breaths. Slow down. Turn off the news when it gets to be too much.

We can do this!

Covid-19 questions? Go to the CDC website.

 

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Fashionable Social Distancing: Write a Letter

Posted in Arts, Events, Fashion, Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , , on March 19, 2020| 7 Comments »

IMG_20200319_104650919Here in the Bay Area we are under a shelter-in-place command. To help slow the spread of Covid-19 we have been told to stay home except for essential errands such as grocery shopping, medical appointments, and anyone who is working an essential job.

Others across the country are also doing their part by staying home. Here we are at a distance from friends and family, maybe miles and miles away, maybe just a few blocks.

I have an idea to lift our spirits! Write a letter. Who doesn’t like to get mail? We all do and yet it’s a rarity these days to receive a handwritten note or even a card. Earlier this year Papyrus closed all their stores across the country because of low sales. Hallmark stores also closed many of their locations. It’s sad to say that thank you notes, party invitations, holiday cards have all given way to social media.

I know several people in my life who would enjoy a letter. Something handwritten to say “I’m thinking of you.” It doesn’t have to be long. Even just a postcard with Hello on it could brighten someone’s day.

And here’s another idea – how about a letter writing lesson for kids, who are now studying at home because of school closures. Pull out some paper and colored pencils and have them make a card with a brief note to grandma and grandpa, auntie, cousin, godparent. Better yet, is there an elderly person in the neighborhood? Make a card for them and then on a walk (walking is good too) pop it in their mailbox. What a nice surprise that would be. Who knows, maybe they’ll write back.

Taking the time to sit and write a letter is a calming exercise. It forces us to stop and to think – what am I going to say? How should I say it? (Quiet reflection right now is a good thing.) It can be creative as well. Many letter writers draw on the paper or decorate with stamps and stickers.

Have I convinced you?

 

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