I prefer the looks of the early 1940s. Sweepy, feminine dresses and adorable little hats. After the war came the “New Look” fashions with wide shouderpads and such, and I don’t prefer that.
The 1950s fashions appeal to me, as well; that’s my second-favorite era.
racinchikki, the early '40s were the boxy look: shoulderpads, knee-length dresses, peplums. The New Look (beginning in 1947) was that feminine, sweepy, pinch-waisted look. My Mom looked great in the New Look . . .
I like long, backless, bias-cut 1930s evening dresses, worn with metallic nail polish and a light sun tan.
I also like 40s ladies’ suits with pencil skirts and short, fitted jackets.
I prefer 1920s daywear to 1930s daywear. The former is less flattering to curvy figures, true, but I find the decoration on the latter can sometimes be tasteless. Mens’ suits of the 1920s and 1930s were lovely.
I don’t like the New Look at all.
I’ve always thought the Edwardian S-bend corsets were pretty fab.
And the Pride and Prejudice merveilleuse style of the early 1800s, with ringlets, empire line dresses and cameo necklaces is also very becoming.
I think my favourite look is the 1920’s, purely because the flapper look would really suit me. I’m small-boned and flat-chested, suit a bob haircut (dark brown hair) and have the kind of face you often see in adverts of the time. My friends have lots of themed parties: so far we’ve had doctors & nurses, schooldays, and fifties; I’m just waiting for a twenties night to show myself off.
Right here! Actually, I met Lissla, Mademoiselle and Osbie, on a costume board, and told them about this place. We’re all obsessed.
Ooooh, Edwardian-WWI looks. YUMMY. That’s probably why I liked Titanic so much-while every other girl in the theater was drooling over Leo, I was drooling over Kate Winslet’s wardrobe.
Big Merry Widow picture hats, tea gowns, kimono sleeves-and the BEADING on those gowns was just fab fab FAB!!! I want to make myself a complete Edwardian wardrobe, with hats and gloves and walking sticks, parasols and fans. Armstice blouses, walking skirts, spool heels, etc.
On the warm days, most women wore whites. Basically white cotton/linen dresses with lace and crochet, and maybe embroidery. VERY simple, but the variety of those dresses is astonishing. I’ve seen plenty, and they’re still gorgeous. Sensibility.com has a pattern for this dress that I want to try-think the daughters of Tsar Nicholas II.
And the lingerie was to DIE for! Lace trim, ribbon embroidery, silk stockings with garters and little camisols with battenberg lace? Irish crocheted petticoats.
However, I’m not a fan of the pigeon busts and big mutton chop sleeves. And the poodle fringe bangs-yuck. But the sleek little hair styles with the headbands, and the feathers? Oh yeah!
Oh SIGH
And then the twenties came, with the sweeping, loose fitting frocks and I for one adore the cloche.
I also love Regency dresses-especially the pelisses and spoon bonnets.
irishgirl-yeah, but the S-curve had a price. The S curve corset is considered to be one of the most dangerous in history. Women were lacing way too tighlightly and destroying their spines. Corsets, contrary to popular belief, did NOT break ribs and give one 14 inch waists. But the way the S curve corset was worn, it made one hunched over.
My favorite links:
www.vintagetextile.com
www.antiquedress.com
www.victorianelegance.com
www.costumes.org
And finally, www.moviegowns.com If I manage to get the job I’m hoping for, I’m going to ask this seamstress to make me a gown for the Titanic dinner this November. I had such a blast last year-but my dress wasn’t period at all.
Good costume movies-
Titanic
My Fair Lady
Anne of Green Gables
Somewhere in Time
Gone with the Wind
Victoria and Albert
Sense and Sensibility
Emma
Pride and Prejudice
I think I’m going to do some cartoon dolls, now. I’m all inspired.
(check out my homepage).
That’s why there was so much sex in the 1970’s. People needed some excuse to get out of those outfits. And excessive bathing wasn’t an option, since the tubs were all ugly avacado green.
I like the late 18th century look - provided we’re not talking 6ft. high, lice-infested wigs and extra-wide panniers. The silhouette in general was very nice - full skirt, tiny waist, flattering neckline and sleeves.
All men should be required by law to dress either like Mel Gibson in The Patriot, or like Colin Firth in The Importance of Being Earnest. All men should own at least one of those white linen shirts with the full sleeves, ruffled cuffs and the neck split open to their navel.
gets up to turn air conditioning on, trips over copy of The Rogue and the Wench
Anyway…
Most of what I think I know about historical clothing is based on movies I’ve seen - and we all know how accurate Hollywood is when it comes to history.
Another Edwardian… but the later, 1905ish to WWI period.
I also have a fondness for both the 40s and 50s.
Regency does nothing for me… I spent a good part of Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility thinking “wow, those clothes are ugly.”
I like some of the Baroque clothing (see the dress that is in the second to last picture). I’m not a big fan of the neck thingies or the hips too wide to fit through doors, though. I also like the fancier early Victorian dresses.
Eve, color me corrected. I’m rather embarrassed to not have known that, actually.
1790’s - Big high-collared greatcoats and three-cornered hats. I always thought those romantic era clothes looked cool.
1940’s - Tight skirts and 3-inch heels for the ladies, snap-brim hats and big lapels for the gents.
For men’s clothes, the fifties and early sixties were terrific - especially once hats started disappearing.
Campy, yes, but mid-late 60s Courreges and Pucci were amazing…
I agree with those who like the fashions of the 18th century. I enjoy the voluminous, low-cut dresses and elaborate hairstyles. And really, when else was it considered stylish to put black dots on your face?
And call me crazy, but I liked the grunge fashions of the early '90’s. They were comfortable and easy to maintain. That’s my kind of style.
This one, where I can get away with absolutely anything providing it’s legal.
When men wore real hats instead of these bloody, rotten, lousy, stinking, worthless base-fricking-ball caps!
They’re caps, fer crimeny sakes. They’re not even actual hats! Little boys wear caps, not masculine manly menfolk.
Grumble … grumble.
Yes, I really wish we could go back to wearing hats and gloves!
And corsets. I want a corset sooo bad. Not one of those faux Victoria’s Secret corsets-a REAL one. With busks and boning and all the trimmings!
The older and bulkier I get, the more I wish veils and corsets would make a come-back . . .
Would it be okay if I said Punk ?
Okay, how about French <squeek!> suits of armour </squeek !> , circa the 11th century ?
… more Earl Grey, anyone, how about a cream scone ? …
The 1950s.
