Fashion-Making Statements

The first installment of my fashion nerd-ery ;)

Fashion has always been, and always will be, synonymous with social trends. You can tell a lot about a society through fashion, as it allows you to catch a glimpse of people's values and what statement they want to make to the world.

First example-women's fashion in the 1920's.

Cue the 19th amendment, Prohibition, the Equal Rights Amendment, the first women to compete in the Olympic Games, and women showing up on the big screen...how's a girl to show that she is no longer confined to (certain) limitations of a male-driven society and is instead a happy-go-lucky, free-spirited human being? Ditch those corsets and wear something that goes completely against the male ideal of the female form!

(From this)

Goodbye corsets! Hello dropped waistlines, boxy fitting dresses, bobbed hair and flattened boobs!

(To this)

During this time, we also see the emergence of Coco Chanel and her simple and practical designs for women. We also see a growth in mass-produced clothing because production methods were improving.

So, what can an outsider looking in conclude from the fashion left behind by the women of the 1920's? This was a society on the brink of social change. No longer were women limited in their self-expression. They were able to maintain their beauty and style while also slipping into more practical and less restrictive clothing.

Fast forward to the late 60's-70's. The country started to see a generation of youth that rebelled against the traditional values of the 50's. This is the first time we start to see fashion trends created by the people instead of the runway. Up until this point, people tended to choose their clothing based on the "latest designs from Europe" or the latest things seen on the runway. In the late 60's and throughout the 70's, designers now aimed to please the masses.

(From this)

So we have a generation of women who no longer embrace the housewife mentality of their mothers and grandmothers. We start to see a generation of women who pursue college educations, support themselves and take control of their sexuality.

So again, how do we show that we no longer have the same values and beliefs as our parents? We show it through our clothes! Mini skirts, women wearing pants, the infamous "burning of the bra's," etc.

(To this)

So...that was the past...what can we say about the fashion of today? There are all kinds of fashion trends out there, but one that I personally love is the revival of 1950 and 1960's silhouettes. People most likely have different ideas on the reasoning behind this trend, but here is what I think...It's no secret that our country and countries around the world have been experiencing economic hardship. People are losing jobs, losing homes, losing hope. I think that when this happens, people tend to cling to memories of happier times. People want to be reminded of times of growth and prosperity and I think the 50's/60's represent this. Even if you were not alive during that time period, you can turn on a T.V and see I Love Lucy, Mad Men, Pan Am and other shows depicting this dream land of perfect hair, big smiles and expanding wallets. One can even look at our current First Lady and read about all the connections people have made between her fashion and that of Jackie Kennedy. The Kennedy's were seen as that All-American, successful family and by making a connection between these two First Ladies, we are again transported back to the 60's.

Is that really the reason behind the trend? Who knows. But this is the type of stuff I think about on a daily basis lol. Fashion makes a statement. When people look back at the fashion of the 2010's, what do you think they will say?

100 Unforgettable Dresses

{{Hello gorgeous book and welcome to my Christmas list!}}

Anyone who knows me knows that I love fashion. For me, it goes beyond the superficial and enters into this world of information, transformation and influence. I have always been fascinated with how fashion can affect the way people see themselves and the world. You can tell a lot about a society from their fashion. From surface information like the resources available to design, produce and market their creations to deeper information like their cultural values and views on the world.

100 Unforgettable Dresses, by Hal Rubenstein, goes through 100 of the most iconic dresses in history. He provides history about the dresses themselves but also dives into their impact on society.

I can't wait to read this book! In the meantime, I'm going to show how much of a nerd I am when it comes to fashion...Reading more and more about Hal Rubenstein's book has inspired me to do a few posts about my take on the impact and influence of this industry. Can't wait to share it all with you! :)

Betty Draper Would Approve!

Louis Vuitton Penelope Sunglasses (Cruise 2011 collection)

::swoon!::

Anyone have $800 I can borrow?

♥

If I had to live in one outfit for the rest of my life...after I got over the shock of having to choose just one...this would be it...



Valentino...you crazy talented, Italian man! ♥

Somewhere Between "Fresh Milk" and "Blank Paper"

I can remember being 11 or 12 and laying outside for HOURS without sunscreen trying to get a tan. Horrible, I know, but I just couldn't accept the fact that my sisters and friends could tan at the drop of a hat and I only had two colors to my skin...white...and red lol. One sister in particular...you know who you are Miss Katie B!...she has always had GORGEOUS glowing skin, no matter the time of year. Colorado could have been covered in snow without a glimpse of the sun for a whole week and she would still look like she just came back from a month vacation in Cabo. NOT. FAIR!



Over the past couple of years, I have really embraced my "porcelain skin." I have always idolized celebs from the 40's and 50's and it probably has to do with the fact that they wouldn't have been caught dead outside without a hat to shade their fair skin. Nowadays, I wear sunscreen 24/7 because I love the way my skin looks :) Now don't get me wrong, I think people with healthy tans are beautiful too, I just think that us "whities" (lol) need to realize that our skin color isn't unhealthy or ugly.



Being a huge history buff, I could go on and on about how fair skin was a sign of beauty and wealth in the past, but I have a feeling if I start talking about the 18th century, most of you will become bored and stop reading this post lol. So, instead...I will show you why I got so excited while watching the Academy Awards last night!

Words used to describe these lovely ladies included...elegant, classy, classic and gorgeous. I never once heard anyone say that they needed "some sun" or that they "looked sick." I have to say the little pale girl inside of me was jumping for joy last night!

And even though she is not as fair skinned as some of the other ladies, I still need to give Sandra Bullock a HUGE round of applause for her win for "Best Actress in a Leading Role." She too looked absolutely stunning (and not too tan! lol) and really deserved the Oscar :)

Will this be the new trend for Hollywood? While I am very hopeful, summer is just around the corner...so we will just have to wait and see!

Regardless of whether or not it is "on trend" with Hollywood, everyone should embrace the skin color, skin tone, body, hair etc, that they were given. You don't have to fit into the model of what society thinks is sexy. If you feel beautiful and confident, that is all that really matters. Confidence is sexy, not the constant desire to fit into the Hollywood mold.

And on that note...PALE CHICKS UNITE! Somewhere with shade and sunglasses ;)