Fashion 101 | Fashion of Downton Abbey and Early 20th Century Fashion

Darlings, I just recently found myself obsessed with Downton Abbey. The stories, the history, the fashion of Downton Abbey! The pilot episode takes place the day of the Titanic's sinking and quickly propels through almost a decade in 2 seasons. So much happened to our world at this time and to witness it through the eyes of British royalaty and their staff is quite intriguing. From the early 20th century fashion to the brink of the 1920s let's see what Fashion 101 will unwrap today...

For Modern Era fashion, I feel the latest we ever possibly revert back to is the 1920's fashion of the flappers and the gangsters, so to have the spotlight on the very early 20th century fashion is most inspirational. The hats, the dresses, the automobiles!

The low busts, curvy hips and long dresses of the early 19th century began to change from a mature, full bodied figure to a slight, boyish figure. By the latter half of the 1910s dresses began to accentuate smaller busts, slender hips, and exposing the scandalous...ankle.

Early 20th century had a passion for hats, not quite Marie Antoinette level but not far. Wide brim, heavily adorned hats sat upon long wavy hair plaited up hair. By the end of the decade what would become the famous finger wave hairstyle of the 1920's began its experimentation. Also the hats became more simple, with slopped rims and much deeper crowns. These would soon lead to my favorite cloche hats.

The original Harem fashion of Poiret in 1910 inspired by an oriental craze from a popular theatre show in Paris. One of my more favored moments in the fashion of Downton Abbey was when Lady Sybil came to dinner showing off her new dress, the lastest fashion from Paris.

The fashion of Downton Abbey is a character in itself. As fashion always does, it tells a story of the society the characters live in and how drastically the Great War changes everything. Customs of utmost importance like afternoon tea gowns fall to wayside for nurses uniforms to care for the ever growing wounded soldiers. In fact it is interesting to note that many of our major fashion changes in history took place due to war, or the fact that it ended. You see that? We're all in this together.

What do you love of the 

fashion of Downton Abbey?

Funny Fashion Girls

For a funny Friday edition, I thought I'd honor the funny fashion girls I get to work with every day. I really love people, and love people watching. Fashion girls are always fabulous, a little neurotic, and very dedicated to their loves...let's watch and learn.

Source: wendyslookbook.com via patricia on Pinterest

This is how the fashion girls I work with dress everyday. I do love working in an industry (finally) where everyone dresses with style, even when it's not your style it is done on purpose. I love the girl above for example but picture 2 and 4 are too loose and Olsen Chic for my taste. My style is girlier, with shape so I tend to have more fitted, less androgynous pieces.

Source: lookbook.nu via Olivia on Pinterest

Source: thesartorialist.blogspot.com via Hannahkate on Pinterest

Source: refinery29.com via Molly on Pinterest

Funny Fashion Girls Obsessions:

1. Yoga
Bikram, bikram, bikram. It'd be a top trending topic if fashion offices got #Hashtagged. Where is your yoga studio? Who is your instructor? OMG She is totes AMAZING! How long have you been practicing? Did you see the latest LuluLemon yoga line?! I actually am a runner, and like to cross train with dance classes like Zumba and Hip Hop Abs, so yoga...not so much my thing.

2. Coconut Water
Fashion girls live and breathe by the hydrating promises of Coconut Water... How else would you survive the morning following the late nights of fashionably partying? I personally need a little sweetener and swear by VitaCoco, Rihanna endorsed, which tastes better than it's competitors.

3. Celine
This not so little trapeze bag can be seen all over town and in every fashion office at least once. It's the latest staple of the fashion girls for It Bag Status. I personally hate that the sides are designed to stick out like that, but if you love it, it absolutely is great quality.

Source: thingsthatdontsuck.tumblr.com via Ryam on Pinterest

Source: camilleovertherainbow.com via Camille on Pinterest

4. Cleanse
Any craze that involves not eating solid foods to be "healthy" is an automatic go with the fashion girls crowd. I can't speak to the mood of the girls while on the liquid only 24 hour a day diet, but apparently they are a must. Personally...I love food. A lot.

I love my funny fashion girls and I love how entertaining my crazy fast paced industry is. Hopefully you've taken some great pointers on how to assimilate with this society! To watch them in their natural habitat even in you don't live in a fashion capital watch the hilarious video created by Harper's Bazaar, Shit Fashion Girls Say. Every time I watch this movie I feel like I catch something new that cracks me up!

Cheers and have a great weekend!

How To Be Stylish and Still Be a Real Man

Today I was inspired by the Brad Paisley song I'm Still a Guy, and the all too often overlooked fact that being a man, a real man, is always sexy. Unfortunately, the drawback to living in my sparkly dreamy New York City is that the men seem to get girlier and girlier. And I'm not even talking about my fabulous gay guys who are always fashionable, I'm talking about the straight men I'm trying to date...and I own more tools in my tiny New York apartment than they do. Seriously? Not cool. Why does it have to be either/or? Why can't a man be stylish and still be a real man? So listen up boys, here's a little lesson to be a sexy stylish real man. A man's man is effortlessly sexy and stylish and dresses for women. A guy's guy dresses like an eternal adolescent an dresses for his video game buddies...who are you trying to be?

The Basics:

1. A Great Fitting Pair of Dark Jeans

Source: bonobos.com via Jessica on Pinterest

These Bonobos jeans are a perfect example. FIT KEY: A nice slim cut, but just loose enough to not be innappropriate or mistaken for your girlfriend's jeans. And please STOP wearing Old Navy Carpenter Jeans. It's not working for you...trust me.

2. Properly Fitted Button Down Oxford Shirts

Source: kennethcole.com via Jessica on Pinterest

One of the most versatile items in your wardrobe, so don't worry if it's expensive, count it as an investment. You can them to work, church, dates, and casual events...they work for almost everything. FIT KEY: The shoulder seem should rest exactly on the edge of your shoulder. Hanging over is too big, resting on top is too tight. You don't want to look like you played dress up in your Father's closet!

3. Fitted V-Neck Tees

Source: bing.com via Jessica on Pinterest

The All American jeans and a t-shirt and boots is always a great stylish man look. Just remember 2 things...FIT KEY: You are not on the Jersey Shore (nothing shrink wrapped). You are not 14 in your favorite team's shirt (nothing you can swim in). The same seam/shoulder rule applies from Basic #2.

4. Boots

Source: bforyourlife.blogspot.com via Jessica on Pinterest

You'll be great with one great weekend pair. Only buy high quality leather, authentic boots. Cheap ones are very obvious and loose the sexy man appeal.

5. Three Piece Suit

Source: weheartit.com via Jessica on Pinterest

Source: google.com via Jessica on Pinterest

Something every real man should own is a tailor fitted three piece suit. You will always have a place to wear suits, even if it's just weddings, funerals, and church, but most of you have jobs where you must suit up and that third piece makes your entire look go from careless to stylish. Plus, you can wear just the suit, just the vest with jeans, or all three for different occasions.

Source: lazysmirk.tumblr.com via Jessica on Pinterest

The Extras:

1. Hats

Source: homorazzi.com via ghaniii on Pinterest

Source: gq.com via Jessica on Pinterest

Fedoras, golf hats, and even sometimes baseball hats...you real men look great in hats. Plus, it allows you to stand out from the crowd (well not baseball hats). It's that extra touch that is stylish but manly.


2. Details

Source: ryanssmith.tumblr.com via Jessica on Pinterest

Source: citizencouture.com via Jessica on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via melaniexeinalem on Pinterest

Pocket squares, socks, jacket lining, suspenders. The most important about a real man being stylish is in the most minute details that says you care. Honestly it makes me jealous, as much as I love the embellished frilliness of womeswear, menswear has us beat with clean, impeccable craftmanship. Don't let that go to waste!


3. Sunglasses

Source: 29.media.tumblr.com via Sabrina on Pinterest

Source: snarkerati.com via Amber on Pinterest

Aviators or Wayfarers will improve your man look every time, guarunteed. And boy...do we notice.


4. Jewelry

Source: shop.nordstrom.com via Jessica on Pinterest

Source: shop.coolmaterial.com via Renelle on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Thom on Pinterest

Source: michellescarey.com via Michelle on Pinterest

I once dated a guy who was obsessed with really nice men's watches, and I don't blame him. Guys jewelry though less frequent is really nice, really quality, and really sexy. But please beware, do not wear the medium length chain necklace...you don't want to be flagged as a dated Eminem lackey.

So who's a stylish sexy real man now?

Fashion Show | Yigal Azrouel

I realize it has been several weeks since New York Fashion Week, but believe it or not, I still have some behind the scenes photos for you guys! Yigal Azrouel was a fun show to work because it was in one of my favorite fashion show spaces, The Highline Stages. Exposed brick, Meatpacking District industrial chic, and of course fashion...it's all a great combination.

Nestled next to the Highline Park at the ground floor of the Milk Studios building is The Highline Stages, the setting for the Yigal Azrouel fashion show Fall/Winter 2012. After the seat cards have been placed, along with the run of show (programs), and any front row gifts, rehearsal can begin.

The models, most usually still in Converse sneakers, skinny jeans, and hair rollers, walk the Yigal Azrouel runway after the camera crew are in place in the photographer's pit. This is the opportunity the fashion show crew has to adjust lighting, make sure the timing of the music and models walks is in sync and address any last minute changes.

After a successful Yigal Azrouel rehearsal at The Highline Stages, the house opens and the people fill in to take their seats. Then the lights will dim and the show, complete with fully dressed and styled models, can begin. The crowd gets quite, the front row tucks their feet and purses underneath their seats for the camera's best view, and the music fades up.

 Yigal Azrouel had a very chic line full of many gorgeous trapper hats, long leather gloves, and well constructed modern clothing. A bit too androgrenous in the shape for me, but beautifully made nonetheless. Here are a sampling of my favorites from his New York Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2012 line. I hope you like winter white and fur...you'll be getting a lot this go around!

 {Merci Style.com}

Fashion 101: The Office of a PR Fashionista

Fashion PR is an interesting world to study from a far. Fast doesn't even begin to describe the pace, and multi-tasking does not nearly do justice to how much you do every second. Not to mention you do all this while looking impossibly fabulous right? Here is a glimpse into the office of a PR fashionista.

You practically live at your desk when working in fashion, especially fashion PR. Therefore you have necessary makeup and hair tools so that you can freshen up before you have to cab across town to an event for a client. Shoes are very important. You run errands and commute in Tom's a must-have for any New Yorker quite honestly, and so that you don't cart your whole life in your purse everywhere you fabulous shoes (a couple pairs) live under your desk. Arrive at 9am slip off the comfy Tom's and rock your statement Louboutins for the next 9 hours.

While working you are flipping through magazines, scanning placements for each of your clients, and flagging new ideas to pitch to editors of all the top publications. Additionally, you are surrounded by samples of your clients. Have a perfume client? That perfume bottle is on your desk. Did you host an event a new accessory line launch? A bright bauble sits under your monitor. And clothing samples are always coming and going in garment bags all day. When Vogue magazine requests Look #3 from the last runway show to shoot for the April issue...you messenger that dress across town instantly.

Inspiring photos are on your wall to daily keep your creative juices flowing. Snacks are very important because you often do not eat a proper lunch...and you definitely do not get an hour lunch break. Then let's not forget your past work, the blueprints of your old fashion show seating charts are rolled up behind your desk to refer to for next season.

And then your favorite sample dress is hanging close by your desk to best represent your client when you attend their latest launch event over cocktails after work. Make sure you make your Starbucks run to keep your energy in tact. The office of a PR fashionista is not for the faint of heart, but certainly has it's compelling rewards

A Fashionista's Office Desk by fashiondiva304 featuring a pleated satin dress

Are you ready to be a PR Fashionista?