Re: Women in Charge

A link here to a Washington Post article on the new generation of women leading fashion journalism:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/style/fashion/2024/02/07/fashion-magazine-editors-millennial/?utm_campaign=wp_style&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&wpisrc=nl_style&carta-url=https%3A%2F%2Fs2.washingtonpost.com%2Fcar-ln-tr%2F3ca9c13%2F65c3ef73f188e64e99353bf5%2F5e6d0f02ae7e8a5948118d94%2F8%2F54%2F65c3ef73f188e64e99353bf5

Re: Role of Fashion on Hulu’s The Other Black Girl

“Courts imagines Hazel’s style as looking like Nella’s might if she weren’t trying to blend in at all times. “What would it look like if we didn’t have that blockage where we have to play the part in business settings?” she asks. “What would it look like if you brought your culture and your style to the full front, and it showed up in all the spaces that you are? Because a lot of times, that’s not allowed for Black women. What would that look like, if we were able to get people out of their inhibitions?'”

https://www.vox.com/culture/23868831/hulu-other-black-girl-tv-show-wardrobe-costumes-hair-makeup-style

Re: Fashion and Politics

An interesting article from the Washington Post, making the point that fashion is often a marker of identity.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/02/16/america-priorities-fashion-message/?utm_campaign=wp_veatvoraciously&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&wpisrc=nl_veatvoraciously&carta-url=https%3A%2F%2Fs2.washingtonpost.com%2Fcar-ln-tr%2F394d82c%2F64074458d8b4d1607543abd5%2F5e6d0f02ae7e8a5948118d94%2F38%2F56%2F64074458d8b4d1607543abd5&wp_cu=6e7bb5ad166bb5690ff30fe935153e39%7CA0D498C0B918382AE0530100007F4635

Re: Costumes of All Creatures Great and Small

If you’ve been watching the third season of All Creatures Great & Small on PBS, you’ll know what a great look the series has–both perfectly period (the 1930s) while also being warm and charming. Here’s an article with costume designer, Ros Little, on creating the costumes for the series.

Tweeds, Jumpers & More: An Interview with All Creatures Great and Small’s Costume Designer

Re: Women and Pockets

A fun article from the Guardian on the life changing magic of having proper pockets in women’s clothes. Also learned a new term-“history bounding” which means to reference historical styles in your everyday wear.

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2023/jan/18/moment-that-changed-me-i-began-wearing-skirts-with-pockets-big-enough-to-hold-wine-bottle?utm_term=63c7ed5469e141688706fbdf4cf14254&utm_campaign=GuardianTodayUS&utm_source=esp&utm_medium=Email&CMP=GTUS_email

Re: Vox Article on Halloween Costuming

“Halloween outfits shouldn’t cost a ton of money. Think about the colors, shapes, and silhouettes needed for a costume to help you identify the look’s building blocks. For a gargoyle look, for example, you’ll need a lot of gray apparel and makeup. “Think about the shapes of things instead of the actual items,” says Ryan Walton, the producer of Halloween experiences for RWS Entertainment Group. “[Say] I need a round hoop-like thing. What can I do that’s round and hoop-like that’s not going to cost me a lot of money and then I can refabricate?”

https://www.vox.com/even-better/23380646/create-best-halloween-costume-cheap-diy

Re: The Multi-Purpose Wardrobe

I have a love/hate affair with the capsule wardrobe. On one hand, I love the tangram-like possibilities of mixing and matching different outfits from a set group of pieces. The promise of both saving money and simplifying your wardrobe are as enticing and they are enchanting. On the other hand, I find it next to impossible to make the capsule wardrobe work in real life. First, as an apple-shaped person, I find it difficult to get matching tops and bottoms. If something fits my top, it won’t fit my waist and hips and vice-versa. Second, I find a limited selection of anything boring. I enjoy the new and the different. Three, as a denizen of the Far North, I require different seasonal pieces for the change in weather. Just in terms of coats, I have early fall, early winter, deep winter, late spring, and summer jackets.

My solution has been to pick those clothing items that can play a number of different roles as possible in my wardrobe. Below are my go-to pieces in hopes that you will find them helpful when building a multi-purpose closet of your own.

Tunics: I love tunics and I cannot lie/You other fashionistas can’t deny/that when a top hangs down past your waist ….well, you get the idea. As a long-waisted apple, tunics are my go-to piece. They work as a top, as a night gown, as a swimsuit cover up, and, if they are long enough, as a dress.

Leggings: I heart leggings. They work as exercise wear, as long underwear (a must for winter in a Northern climate), for dressy occasions under a tunic (see above), as casual pants, and, depending on your workplace, as workwear.

Waterfall sweater/jackets: I have two lightweight rayon open front “waterfall” sweater/jackets and I have become a complete convert to this style. The key is to find one in a fabric that is fluid enough for a flattering drape, but still easy to tie into a midriff top. This piece works as a lightweight jacket, a robe, a workout top, and a dance costume piece (if you’re a belly dancer like I am). You can wear it to work or for everyday, it works as well for formal as casual events.

Blazers: I’m a newcomer to the idea of “third” pieces, but I have become a blazer enthusiast. I really like how just adding a blazer gives any outfit a more pulled together look. The key here is to pick one that is both cool enough to wear indoors, but warm enough to function as a light jacket outdoors. I have several different blazers in different styles, but my favorite is the tie front blazer I got from Torrid. Made from stretchy material, it’s kind of like a heavy duty sweater.

Re: Finding Your Personal Style

National Public Radio’s Life Kit series featured a story on finding your personal style. The illustrated comic is great, but take time to listen to the podcast, too.

Here’s the link:

https://www.npr.org/2022/04/07/1091487340/what-should-i-wear-forget-fashion-trends-and-find-your-personal-style

Re: Tax the Rich Dress

Vogue’s Getting Ready for the 2021 Met Gala featuring Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

One of the best outfits in a sea of eye-catching fashions at the 2021 Met Gala was New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in a white mermaid gown with “Tax the Rich” emblazoned on the back. It’s the perfect combination of activism and sheer tongue-in-cheek chutzpah. In this video, Alexandria and her designer, Aurora James, talk about their political advocacy and the inspiration behind her dress.

Re: Halloween Costumecast 2021

As autumn draws in and the leaves begin to fall, our thoughts turn once more to Halloween costumes. This Halloween is likely to be masked and socially distanced again. I’m eyeballing the commercial costume sites along with pop culture news in order to bring you this fashion forecast.

• Political costumes: A less highly charged category than it’s been in years past. President Biden masks are available, but I had to search in order to find them. There are no Jill Biden masks that I can find. The Handmaid’s Tale costume remains popular especially since it can be worn to political rallies. Following the Met Gala, I fully anticipate someone slapping “Tax the Rich” on a bridal gown and going as Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
• Skellies, skellies, everywhere: Skeleton costumes continue to be popular. In addition to the traditional Day of the Dead costumes, skellies have branched out into fossil dinosaurs as well.
• Movies and TV: The Cruella film has fanned new interest in the classic Disney Villain. In the Star Wars category, the Mandolorian remains strong (it is the Way). I predict that Marvel’s Loki will create an uptick in various Loki costumes as seen in the series. Go, go, President Loki and, my personal favorite, Alligator Loki.
• Classics: Halloween favorites such as Hocus Pocus, Beetlejuice, and the Corpse Bride continue strong. Universal Classic Monsters has brought out a line of monster masks featuring those oldies but goodies the Wolfman, Creature from the Black Lagoon, and Dracula among others. Scary clown/scary circus trend continues as well.