Hey, fashionistas-os. I’m mixing it up this week with the throwbacks on account of that while I was doing some research I found some fashion lingo from the 30s and 40s. I found it a little entertaining and thought you might, too. Brush up on your fashion terms and enjoy!
Babushka - a scarf or handkerchief worn over the hair, appeared around 1938, as part of the peasant look.
Bakelite - a popular plastic used to make jewelry, buttons, knobs and other household items
Bermuda shorts - long men's shorts, popular during warm weather months
Bobby socks (sox) - white ankle socks, worn by young girls and teenagers, typically with saddle shoes, starting in the early-mid 40's.
Cloche - a close-fitting, bell-shaped hat worn pulled down over one's forehead. Typically associated with the bobbed hair of the 1920's and 30's.
Dirndle - a skirt with a gathered waistline, part of the peasant look of the late 1930's.
Chemise - a slip like dress, also used to refer to a slip.
Jodphers - riding pants, designed to wear boots. Often worn for weekend or work wear. British Land Army uniforms, and early U.S. uniforms both have jodphers.
Juliet - a women's hairstyle in which the crown is smooth and the hair is curled into a fluff just below the ears. Based on Norma Shearer's hairstyle in the movie Juliet.
Knickerbockers - short knee length pants, also known as knickers that were typically worn by golfers, baseball players and young boys. This style pant was phasing out of fashion for everyone except baseball players by the 1940's, although still pictured in the Sears catalog for young boys.
Peplum - gathered fabric or extra fabric that hangs below the waist line.
Saddle Shoes - originally designed as athletic shoes, often worn by teenage girls. Sears catalog shows them worn with both socks and stockings, and with either a red or white sole. Note that period examples seem to usually have a heel.
Sloppy Joe Sweater - long, baggy pullover sweater, commonly worn with blue jeans. Typically worn by teenage girls in high school or college.
Snood - a crocheted or knitted sack that's worn over and around one's hair, usually pinned on the lower part of one's head. Sometimes it's pinned to a hat, or other head piece, and sometimes it's worn as evening wear in the absence of a headpiece.
Spectators - two-toned shoes for men or women, usually in pump, wedge or oxford form.
Swing Skirt - a full, round cut or flared skirt that was designed to "swing out" when jitterbugging. Often worn with the sloppy joe sweater. Mid-late 1940's.
Zoot Suit - a men's suit, with tapered, tight cuffed pants and a long coat with wide lapels. Often topped with a wide brimmed fedora. Often pinstriped and can be found in many colors. Originated in New York, and are often associated with young men who were unable to serve in WWII because they were 4F.
The zipper became an essential piece of fashion in the 1930s. It was stylish piece as well as a needed piece for obvious purposes. While we still need the zipper today, and it is not new by any means, we can mix up this functional piece of fashion. While shopping for everyday clothes for class and just hanging out, find tee’s that offer something a little more interesting than just a color. A tee with a zipper back will take this everyday T-shirt from average to stylish without even trying.
The same goes for your evening wear outfits. A simple black dress with a noticeable zipper either on the side, in the back or in the front will amp up your style in no time. You can thank the 1930s for utilizing the zip!
In the 1920’s Coco Chanel distorted the lines between male and female fashion. Ladies, incorporate this into your wardrobe by choosing masculine pieces like jackets and trousers, but add feminine touches, such as lace or pastel colors, to soften the harsh look.
An outfit like this one would be a perfect choice for an interview or a career fair. It allows you to look professional, but you can add your own personal style to let your personality shine through.
Welcome to Fashion Throwbacks, the latest fashion blog for the Daily Collegian. This weekly blog will introduce different fashion trends from past decades and show you how to incorporate these vintage looks into your own modern world!
Week 1:
1910’s
The empire waist, which is a high waist line below the bust, was introduced for women at the beginning of this decade. To bring this look back, I suggest accessorizing your outfit with a belt: thin or wide, leather or material, black or brown belt to spice up the outfit. Instead of just below the bust, try placing it around your waist to accentuate the smallest part of your body.
When you pair leggings with a long tunic, utilize this empire waist and place a belt around your waist to separate the outfit and play up your fabulous shape!
Courtesy of philamuseum.org/exhibitions/411.htmlKathleen Loughran/Collegian
Though I have no idea where I’m living come June this summer, I already know what I’ll be doing the first week off — visiting the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Yes, I am a fine arts snob, but that’s not entirely why I want to go. I adore fashion, and the museum is hosting Roberto Capucci: Art into Fashion, which runs until June 5.
Over spring break, my mom and I visited the Philadelphia Museum of Art and were able to sneak a peak, when the installers were setting up the exhibition, and from what I saw, the fashion looked absolutely divine.
Hailing from Italy, Capucci utilized bold colors and dramatic forms in his work. With over 80 works in the exhibition, this is the first time his collections have appeared in the United States. To find out about the exhibition, check out the Philadelphia Museum of Art’s website.
The fashion industry is abuzz today with word that Coach is teaming up with the e-commerce site mecca, Net-a-Porter, for an exclusive vintage line coming out June 15. The line will feature five iconic designs — the envy of vintage shoppers everywhere — with sturdy materials and sleek shapes. These are staples every professional should have in their closet.
Here comes the sun! But before we break out the tanks and tees, we will still need a stylish spring jacket to keep us warm. I mean it may be nice today, but we live in State College. Dare I predict a change in forecast? Moral is to be prepared. Here are some great ideas for a spring jacket!
The Trench
Nancy Drew may have been onto something back in her sleuthing days. The trench coat is ever popular this season. For jackets — something you’ll probably wear every day — I suggest neutrals like olive or tan to guarantee it will match your outfit. However, if you are feeling brave and are embracing the spring colors, bright ones like coral or yellow, go for it. Keep in mind this trench will not drag to the ground, but will be more in the above your knees range or shorter depending on preference.
Army Jacket
The olive toned army jacket is a staple piece for your collection. From spring to fall, you will find a use for it. The hood-less jacket ranges from light weight to heavier materials, so chose a material you think you will get the most use out of. The masculine piece can easily be paired with a feminine piece such as a dress or skirt to amp up your style. This piece is very casual and also looks great with jeans.
Jean Jacket
I call the jean jacket timeless. It comes in and goes out of fashion too fast to keep up with, but I’m pro-denim. To ensure the timeless-ness, I suggest you go with a true blue denim. The washed out look and too dark look will have their time, but classic blue will last. Be careful of the denim on denim look. It can work, but it cannot be too “matchy” because then it looks like a set and not an outfit. I suggest cuffing the sleeves on warmer days with bangles around your wrists to add a touch of femininity.
I also suggest accessorizing your jacket with a great spring colored scarf to finish off the look. These three looks will keep you warm and ready for spring, but invest in an umbrella as these jackets do not normally come equipped with a hood!
Courtesy of foxnews.com. J. Crew President and Creative Director Jenna Lyons giggles with her adorable 5-year-old son Beckett as they paint his toenails a bubble-gum shade of pink.
First, let me say, I adore Jenna Lyons. And after this ad I may love her even more.
J. Crew sent out this email advertisement for their children's clothing line showing the creative director and her son.
Lyons is featured painting her young son's toes pink. Innocent enough, right? Well, not according to a column published on foxnews.com. They bashed the ad saying it is "unwise to encourage little boys to playact like little girls."
So what do you think about the j.crew controversy? Do you think it's being blown out of proportion?
It is no secret that the weather in State College is temperamental. My freshman year someone told me that the meteorology program at Penn State is one of the best because the weather changes about seven times in any given class period. All that fluctuation can cause quite a strain on your wardrobe.
A few good rules of thumb are to always dress in layers. But (especially in April) your most important layer is your outer layer. One of the best investments to make during Spring in Happy Valley is a raincoat. A raincoat should be light enough that it doesn't cause you to overheat on a murky day, big enough that you could wear a sweater underneath on a cold day and water resistant — because what is the point of a rain coat if you can't even wear it in the rain.
1. Practical and Charming (Topshop)
Rubber raincoats like this are made to channel your inner child, but an added bonus is that it is sure to keep you dry. Look for coats with a hood incase you ever get caught without an umbrella.
2. Bold and Bright (Topshop)
This is the perfect light-weight jacket for a spring shower. A deep red jacket is the perfect accessory in the rain, and the material is light enough to shove in your bag when the storm passes.
3. Feminine and Floral (Modcloth)
Jackets are a great way to experiment with style. If you're too nervous to branch out from neutral options try adding a floral scarf or accessory to brighten your style on a rainy day. A jacket like this is a great statement piece to wear in gloomy weather.
Finally, I have a legitimate reason to justify my shopping craze to my mom — according to a Taiwanese journal, Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health, shopping may lead to a longer life.
Apparently the health benefits of perusing the endless clothing racks, walking to your favorite stores and partaking in window-shopping outweighs those of other leisurely physical activity because shopping is “easier to undertake and maintain.” I can’t argue with that logic, especially when it gives me a reason to hit the mall.
But, personally, I wouldn’t replace shopping with going to the gym because after all, it is just a study. No hard proof yet — just a good excuse to give your parents when they tell you shopping is not a productive use of your time.
To read more details about the study, check out Glamour’s website.
