HISTORICISM PROJECT

Kyla Burkitt

1920s: Bowler HatBowler hats in the 1920s were typically worn by males, however they inspired the hat on the right which is currently marketed to females. The hat on the right, labeled as a present day bowler hat, is even more rounded than the one on the left from the 20s and, like the one from the 20s, features an upturned brim. In addition to being intended for the opposite gender, the bowler hat on the right also stands apart due to the plaid detailing on its brim. As a random tidbit of information: bowler hats are a main cause of conflict in the Disney movie, Meet the Robinsons (in my opinion, this is possibly the most underrated Disney movie). Knowing the history and seeing the quirky modern take on bowler hats makes me want to make them the newest addition to my personal hat collection.

Man's Bowler HatMade by John B. Stetson Co.Black Wool FeltPhiladelphia Museum of ArtDecade: 1920sRetrieved from: http://www.philamuseum.org/collections/permanent/92291.html?mulR=9502%7C2Date Retrieved: Nov. 26, 2014

Plaid Bowler HatForever 21Retrieved from: http://www.forever21.com/Product/Category.aspx?br=f21&category=acc_hat&pagesize=120&page=1

Date Retrieved: Nov. 26, 2014

1920s: Gold Lamé

Grace Coolidge’s Evening GownFlapper-style evening dress made of velvet-trimmed black-and-gold metallic lace over a gold lamé underdress.National Museum of American History, First Ladies’ FashionsDecade: 1920sRetrieved from: http://americanhistory.si.edu/first-ladies/first-ladies-fashions-page-2Date Retrieved: Nov. 26, 2014

Luxe Checkered Lamé LeggingsForever 21Retrieved from: http://www.forever21.com/Product/Product.aspx?br=F21&category=bottom&productid=2000076368 Date Retrieved: Nov. 26, 2014

The leggings on the right draw inspiration from former First Lady Grace Coolidge’s 1920s dress on the rights as evidenced through the colors and material. The gold lamé which makes up the underdress was popular in the 20s. Forever 21 adapted this trend that was originally found on dresses to fit modern style by creating the checkered leggings on the right. The leggings feature gold lamé as the bulk of the garment with contrasting black details, much like the dress on the left. While the garment type varies greatly between the dress from the 20s and today’s leggings, it is obvious that the gold lamé trend is one that has been able to transcend the test of time and still manages to look modern even after almost 100 years.

1930s: Wide Leg Pants

Lounge PajamasObject # 2006.870.1ABFIDM MuseumDecade: 1930sRetrieved from: http://blog.fidmmuseum.org/museum/2010/04/lounge-pajamas-c-1935.htmlDate Retrieved: Nov. 26, 2014

Tribal Print Wide-Leg PantsForever 21Retrieved from: http://www.forever21.com/product/product.aspx?br=F21&category=bottom&productid=2000111326&variantid=Date Retrieved: Nov. 26, 2014

The Lounge Pajamas on the left feature a wide-leg cut that is mimicked by the Forever 21 pants on the right. This is an obvious example of how past fashions influence those of the present since the silhouette of the tribal print pants of today mirrors that of the Lounge Pajamas from the 1930s. As we learned in class, wide-leg pants were popular in the 30s and were typically worn casually as beach pajamas. Forever 21’s pants have been updated to fit today’s consumer by using a classic color combination and incorporating a trendy tribal print design on the sides. While these pants would still fit in on the beach, they have now been adopted into more everyday settings as well.

1940s: Peplum

DressMadame Grès Evening gown with peplum, silk jerseyPhotograph: George Platt LynesDecade: 1940sRetrieved from: http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/works-of-art/41.65.2Date Retrieved: Nov. 26,

2014

Ahhh, the peplum! One of the most flattering styles in the fashion world…I mean, what other style can help conceal one’s post-holiday tummy bulge? On a more serious note, the peplum hit popularity in the 1940s and was often a feature on dresses as shown in the picture on the left. Today, it has been added to a vast array of garments: dresses, skirts, dress-shirts, as well as trendy tanks such as the one depicted in the photo on the right. This garment is inspired by the peplum from the 40s in that they both feature fabric that flares out at the natural waist. For the garments in the 40s, the peplum was likely to be more stiff than those of today and by nature of the garments they were found on would be described as more dressed up than the ones of today. I can’t get enough of this trend and love today’s contemporary twist on the style.

Sleeveless Faux Leather Peplum Top

GuessRetrieved from: http://www1.macys.com/shop/product/guess-sleeveless-faux-leather-peplum-topDate Retrieved: Nov 26, 2014

1940s: Nylon Stockings

Nylon StockingsMcCord Museum, Reveal or Conceal? Exhibit (2008-2009)Decade: 1940sRetrieved from: http://www.mccord-museum.qc.ca/expositions/expositionsXSL.php?lang=1&expoId=47&currSectionId=4.2&currImageId=1522Date Retrieved: Nov. 26, 2014

BZR Ombré Tights in Fuchsian VioletBZR Etsy ShopRetrieved from: https://www.etsy.com/listing/115081254/bzr-ombre-tights-in-fuchsian-violet?ref=listing-shop-header-0Date Retrieved: Nov. 26, 2014

Nylon Stockings were a big part of fashion in the 40s—women even painted “seams” on the back of their legs to appear to be wearing stockings when nylon was restricted due to the war. Then, nylons were available primarily in standard colors, but their influence on current fashion has led to bolder choices for leggings, pantyhose, and tights. The tights on the right display similar elements to and were inspired by the tights on the left in that they are made of the same material and serve similar purposes; however, the BZR Ombré ones have taken a contemporary twist on the old-fashioned favorite by infusing the simple style with bright colors that also incorporate the ombré trend.

1950s: Swimwear

Woman’s SwimsuitWool-knit swimsuit designed by Rudi GernreichLACMADecade: 1950sRetrieved from: http://collections.lacma.org/node/247817Date Retrieved: Nov. 26, 2014

ZinkeZinke "Andi" one-piece swimsuit with floral top and solid bottomCusp by Neiman MarcusRetrieved from: http://www.polyvore.com/cutout_swimsuit/shop?query=cutout+swimsuitDate Retrieved: Nov. 26, 2014

The 1950s swimsuit on the left contains several elements that were passed on to inspire the contemporary one on the right. Most notably, the swimsuit from the 50s has cutouts on the sides which are mirrored in the Zinke suit one can buy today. The Zinke suit is further inspired by the one on display at the LACMA through sharing similar leg cuts; both suits sit on the upper thigh, slightly higher than what other contemporary swimsuits feature. While personally I think the 50s swimsuit would make for a pretty spunky beach outfit, the fact that its made from wool makes me much more likely to choose today’s take on the suit!

1950s: Circle Skirt

Skirt

Maker unknown, felt, sequins, metal, wool, 28" length. Collection of Shelburne MuseumDecade: 1950sRetrieved from: http://shelburnemuseum.org/exhibitions/in-fashion/ Date Retrieved: Nov. 26, 2014

Quilted Faux Leather Mini Skater SkirtChicwishRetrieved from: http://www.polyvore.com/faux_leather_circle_skirt/shop?query=faux+leather+circle+skirt Date Retrieved: Nov. 26, 2014

While at first glance, the skirt on the left doesn’t appear to resemble the one on the right, upon further inspection it becomes apparent that it is in fact inspired the design. In the 1950s, embroidered circle skirts became extremely popular which is what we see in the skirt on the left. The quilted, faux leather skirt on the right is today’s take on the trend. It has the same circle hem along with a high waist, but it features a shorter hemline and is made out of an edgier fabric. The skirt on the left would definitely be at home in a retro diner, but the one on the right is more apt for consumers’ day-to-day wear.

1950s: Sack Dress

Day DressCristobal BalenciagaWool; L. shoulder to hem: 39 in. The Metropolitan Museum of ArtDecade: 1950sRetrieved from: http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/works-of-art/C.I.64.4.3Date Retrieved: Nov. 26, 2014

Elgar Sweater DressAllSaintsRetrieved from: http://www.polyvore.com/oversized_sweater_dress/shop?p=2&query=oversized%20sweater%20dressDate Retrieved: Nov. 26, 2014

The Sack Dress, which was popular from 1954 to 1960, and is pictured on the left was clearly the source of inspiration for the sweater dress on the right. Both feature an oversize top portion with a drop-waist that leads to a closer fitting skirt. The AllSaints sweater dress puts a modern flair on the Sack Dress style with a shorter hemline, billowing sleeves, and lower neckline. The original Sack Dress from the 50s stands alone to make a classy statement that only improves with the addition of the gloves, while the sweater dress on the right would be better paired with leggings to make a complete outfit.

1970s: Fur Bomber Jacket

Fur Bomber JacketsLeft: Rabbit fur bomber jacket, ID Number 2001.43.32Right: Curly Mongolian lamb jacket, The Union,ID Number 1988.341.74Decade: 1970sLeathers, Feathers, and Fur CollectionRetrieved From: http://costume.osu.edu/exhibitions/leathersfeathersfur/Date Retrieved: Nov. 26, 2014

AINEAFaux Fur Bomber JacketLOUISAVIAROMA.COMRetrieved from: http://www.polyvore.com/fur_bomber_jacket/shop?query=fur+bomber+jacketDate Retrieved: Nov. 26, 2014

The fur bomber jackets from the 70s inspire the faux fur ones available today. The ones on the left feature leather trim and luxurious furs making up a standard bomber silhouette. The one on the right is made up of synthetic fur with pleather details while still maintaining the classic bomber shape. In short, by taking inspiration from the 70s and making it PETA-friendly, the faux fur bomber jacket featured on the right is able to satisfy both the fashion and moral needs of modern consumers. The Faux Fur Bomber Jacket pictured on the right is perfect for a chilly winter day and would be sure to stand out on any campus.

1980s: Keds

Pike County 4-H Fair Parade(All but one member wore Keds brand sneakers)Pike County News Watchman; August 6, 1981 Ed.

The Keds brand was established in 1916, but it especially gained popularity in the 1980s, particularly for fans of the “preppy” look. The picture on the left is one from the fair in my home county, and my mother is actually in it. I knew she had been a fan of the shoes when she was younger, so I asked her if she had any pictures and she referred me to this picture. Keds recently experienced a revival of its popularity with the support of pop star, Taylor Swift and the addition of the Kate Spade line. The brand is still inspired by its classic styles which has obvious when comparing the pictures on the right with those on the left. Keds now uses bright colors and bold patterns on its popular Champion silhouette, which appeals to its young, trendy market and makes Keds my shoes of choice practically every day.

This picture is actually a personal photo of my mom showing off her Champion White Keds in the mid 80s. I think this depicts the “preppy” look associated with the shoes and makes for a fun mother/daughter comparison.

New York Kick SneakerKeds for Kate SpadeRetrieved from: http://www.katespade.com/shoes-sneakers/ks-shoes-sneakers,en_USDate Retrieved: Nov. 26 2014

This picture is another personal photo. This one features me showing off my Perforated Champion Lime Keds in summer 2014. This photo shows that today’s Keds add a bold punch to classic style.