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Posts Tagged ‘pandemic’

What to Wear Sheltering-in-place: At Home Attire

Posted in Events, Fashion, Uncategorized, Vintage, tagged , , , , , , , , , on August 26, 2020| 2 Comments »

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That’s me and my grandmother, she looking lovely in her caftan.

I recently attended a Webinar discussion on the future of fashion during the pandemic with a panel of women who work in the business; one panelist mentioned that she thought entertaining at home was going to be a trend.  She predicted that by next year designers will have a dedicated line of at home wear.

I think she’s on to something and I’m reminded of my stylish grandmother. When she was elderly and could no longer go out, at home every day she donned colorful caftans and leather mules. (She also still dyed her short pixie-cut hair and had regular manicures – up until she died at age 84.)

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Caftans by Stella McCartney, Fall 2020 as seen in Harper’s Bazaar. 

My wardrobe includes items that are what I call, At Home Attire. In pre-pandemic days, I would change out of street clothes when I got home and slip into “something more comfortable,” which might be a pair of silky pajamas or a long cotton dress. Now that I’m spending more time at home, I’m inspired by my grandmother and I try to make an effort to look presentable every day.

Over the next few weeks, I’ll share some of my newly created outfits. Stay tuned.

 

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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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Social Distancing on Mother’s Day

Posted in Events, Fashion, Mom's Closet, Uncategorized, Vintage, tagged , , , , , on May 10, 2020| 1 Comment »

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From afar we wish all mothers a very Happy Mother’s Day.

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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

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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