Tudor Execution Fashion - Dressing for Death.
From Queens to commoners executed at the hands of the state in the era of the Tudors, using your death to make a statement was imperative. Let’s take a look at what two Queens wore to their deaths and the impact these outfits had.
The Victorian Obsession with Costume Balls
Halloween is fast approaching! Getting dressed up and having a riot of a time is not a new concept, so let’s take a look into history, specifically the Victorian’s love of a costume ball.
Loose-fitting clothes and no corsets! Who was Paul Poiret?
Born in Paris in 1879, Poiret became a leading fashion designer and couturier during the turn of the 20th century. His work is deemed very important to the fashion world, for his innovations in silhouettes and changing the face of the corset.
I Hate Seeing Side Partings in Period Dramas - Here’s Why!
Side parted hair, it’s been a common hairstyle for centuries, right? Wrong! In actuality, side-parted hair only started being popular during the latter decades of the 19th century. Let’s take a look at where period dramas have got this oh so wrong and the few occasions where they’ve actually got it spot on!
Were Victorian corsets actually painful?
As someone who has a love for fashions of years gone by, I find myself often presented with the phrase ‘oh no I’d hate to wear that, imagine the pain from the corset!’. There is a belief amongst many that corsetry is a device of torture and that wearing one is excruciatingly painful. So, let’s take the question of whether corsets are actually painful, break it down and find the truth.
Queen Victoria’s Wedding Dress: Breaking and Making Tradition
The white wedding dress, a traditional symbol of marriage in the western world. Let’s take a look at the dress credited as making the white wedding dress popular, the wedding dress worn by Queen Victoria.
Women Wore Shifts! A small rant.
Hollywood has a habit of showing their leading, period drama ladies wearing their corsets and stays against their bare skin, but why is this inaccurate? Meet the shift!
Top Vintage-Inspired picks for Autumn
Autumn is back! If you’re like me then you are more than ready to start bringing out the earth tones and jumpers. If you are not to so prepared then fear not! I have compiled some of my favourite picks from vintage-inspired brands for the new season to help you feel inspired.
Is It Accurate? Outlander
Outlander is a beloved show among lovers of the 18th-century for its beautiful scenery, fiery romance and stunning costumes. But, just how accurate are these costumes?
We Need To Talk About That Strawberry Dress
We need to talk about that strawberry dress. This one dress has catapulted 24-year-old fashion designer Lirikia Matoshi to stardom, with her sales up 1000 per cent. But it has also opened up a conversation, sparked by Tess Holliday.
Exploring the Cottagecore Aesthetic
Starting on Tumblr before finding its way to TikTok and Instagram, the cottagecore aesthetic has boomed in recent months. But what exactly is it and why has it become so popular?
An Interview with Witchy Vintage
An interview with Paula Bates, the owner of Witchy Vintage, an online antique store selling Victorian to 1940s finds on Etsy and Instagram.
Queen Elizabeth II’s Coronation Dress
When she ascended to the throne in 1952, The Queen had to start planning her 1953 coronation. She employed Norman Hartnell to design her coronation dress, a dress that would become iconic.
What Happened to Elizabeth 1’s Clothes?
At the time of her death in 1603, Queen Elizabeth 1 had a wardrobe of over 2000 dresses. But what happened to these dresses and why do they no longer exist?
Is It Accurate? Marie Antoinette
Sofia Coppola's 2006 film Marie Antoinette won the Academy Award for costume design. It is a film well known for its aesthetic and costumes but are these historically accurate to the late 18th century?
Does Vintage Style Have To Be Accurate?
Does vintage style have to be accurate to the time period? A question that gets asked constantly in the vintage community. Hear my opinions as well as yours!
Mourning Jewellery
Mourning jewellery, a way to remember and commemorate a deceased loved one, reach its peak popularity during the Victorian era. Often made using hair, these were elaborate and intricate pieces of jewellery.
Alexander McQueen: An Overview
Created in 1992 by Lee McQueen, Alexander McQueen is a fashion brand known for its morbid designs and spectacular shows. Let’s look at the history of the brand!
The Fashion Plate
The fashion plate, a way to circulate popular fashions among society in the late 18th century and 19th century. Let’s take a look at its history and why they were such a success.
An Interview with Shirin Altsohn
Shirin Altsohn is a 22-year-old vintage fashion blogger and influencer from Germany. Her style is classic and effortless, and she has ever so kindly allowed me to interview her and pick her brains about all things fashion!
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This unofficial syllabus covers the brands, moments, designers, and ideas in women’s traditional workwear that have long been omitted from the conversation. While it’s not fully comprehensive, it is a good place to start if you want to look like you know how to change a tire.