All posts filed under: 20th Century

When politicians advise on fashion

The debate between the aesthetics of fashion and the health and practicality of garments is never more pointed than when it comes to the matter of corsets. In 1904 the argument had one last great fling in New Zealand, with a series of international specialists visiting the country to declare the ill-effects of the garment. The anti-corset movement saw a surge in popularity, and the politicians, ever after a chance to see their own popularity surge, jumped on the bandwagon, not always wisely, as this period cartoon shows us:

Early 1950s fashions and fabrics in Japan, Part 4 of 5

Published by The Dreamstress

I’ve been having so much fun showing you these images. I love all your comments about the fashions, and the discussions we have had about Japanese society in the post war era. Ready for some more adorable early 50s fashions for women and children? This section of designs is all on paper that is quite yellowed and acidic with age. It’s really quite interesting how the paper throughout the booklet is different. First, some kids hats. I just love that these were necessary enough to be included in the pattern book! And then, some fashions for boys and girls: And back to adult clothes: I really like this artist’s style. The women are so sweet, and reasonably anatomically probable. This artist also gives a lovely sense of life and action to his sketches: And finally, a few more children’s frocks: Next week Monda I’ll show you the very last one.

Goddesses and queens in the Rose Garden

Published by The Dreamstress

Last Sunday Elisabeth the Sewphist and Sarah of Capital Adventures and I had a photoshoot in the Rose Garden and Greenhouse at the Wellington Botanical Gardens. The photoshoot didn’t go quite to plan – Madame O was supposed to join us and wear her fabulous frilly pink polonaise gown, and I was wearing my chemise a la reine and was going to bring 18th century for Elisabeth, and we would have been the perfect late 18th century trio. But Madame O couldn’t make it, and I couldn’t find a petticoat for Elisabeth, and we ran dreadfully late in getting ready. And my hat just wouldn’t sit right. But I sucked up the hat, brought my green silk satin pseudo 1930s Stella gown for Elisabeth to wear, and we caught the last hour that the Greenhouse was open and the last of the Rose Garden sunshine and had a lovely time anyway. Elisabeth channeled the (rather strange) statue in the begonia house in both elegant and literal fashion. Sarah wore the tropical flowers without picking them. …