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?

What's Happening on the Runways: London

Last week was London Fashion Week and here is a recap of the looks I'll be drawing inspiration from for my wardrobe for Fall 2012.

Wine will definitely be the color of the season, but did it quite as fun as the bold red legs of Vivienne Westwood Red Label. I always find I love several things from her line and I will so be getting some red tights to follow suit.

{Merci for all photos Style.com}

Now I always get a kick out of unique fashion shows (I'm a big fan of different), and the Burberry Prorsum show, beyond being fab as usual had the models in snow with umbrellas for their final walk! And I absolutely love the cropped puff coats in the Fall 2012 line. I usually have a strict NO Walking Sleeping Bag Policy, so the cropped provides a  nice alternative!

Inspired by Marlene Dietrich, the Fall 2012 line of Marios Schwab was swimming in beautiful dresses topped with too-cool-for-school hats! You know I love a good hat. And these side sloped babies come packed with sass!

Technicolor patterns are definitely a thing of 2012 and although very reminiscent of Prabal Gurung's S/S2012 line, I was still loving the electricity in the looks of Peter Pilotto. 

Although not a line that I would mark as innovative, that is not necessarily a bad thing. Todd Lynn (who's also kind've a cutie) had me loving about every look that walked the runway. Bold colors, feminine silhouettes. This one look in particular with the full sleeve leather gloves had me floored! Forget Opera Length he has upped the ante!

That's what happening on the runways in London. 

Color, as I love to always count on from this town, edge, and class. 

What was your favorite London look?

Royal Catwalk: London Fashion Week Recap

Bonjour mes chéris! Now that I have caught up on some errands I thought I would officially take the time to recap you on the runway rundowns from the last couple cities. Starting today with a London Fashion Week Recap. The Royal Catwalk in England's capital was a buzz with beautiful gowns and optimistic new trends for Spring/Summer 2012.

GREAT GATSBY
Something I noticed on the NYC runways (especially Tory Burch) that are also popping up in London is the revival of the Great Gatsby fashion. Dropped waist dresses of the 1920s, golf prep inspired ensembles, and the gilded glam that always accompanies art deco.

Here Christopher Kane gives you that Great Gatsby example.

TRIBAL
Vibrant color and emphatic patterns, get used to seeing these on the racks in surplus.

Burberry Prorsum gave a rich colorful display of this trend,

as well as David Koma but in a more architectural technique.

FLIRTY FROCKS
I love that this girly shape never truly goes out of style, but I haven't seen it this prevalent in retailers eyes for a while. The flirty flounce of the hem in a perfect figure flattering hourglass looks so great on the female silhouette. Not to mention in a soft chiffon, the fabric is as light as you will feel wearing it!

This Felder Felder showstopper is the perfect example.

COLOR BLOCKING
Keep that color blocking going and throw in some bright fun Spring colors to the mix. Not to mention mustard yellow which has quickly become the latest favorite Pantone.

This Roksanda Ilincic also features the lately popular paper bag waist that are on skirts in about every store. Caution: Only wear this if you are on the smaller side, this is one of those fashion pieces that are not kind to every womanly figure (trop domage bien sur!)

What will you pull from your

London Fashion Week Recap?

Fashionspiration Giveaway: Garter Tights

With Fall back in session it is that time of year to switch that fashionspiration over to your favorite knit, layered, and rich colored ensembles. As Fall is prime tights season, Lingerie Please is stepping in for a fashionspiration giveaway! And as garter tights are my "it" pick for a rockstar Fall wardrobe I've put together a little fashionpiration for you...enjoy!

 The Summer is trying to hang on as long as possible here in NYC... which I am enjoying as long as possible but one of my favorite things about September is getting to wear my favorite Fall clothing before I have to cover it up with my full length coat.

Fashion out of fun rather than necessity 

garners for the best ensembles! 

To enter the Garter Tights Giveaway:

1. Head over to Lingerie Please or Lingerie Please Bras and comment on your favorite piece!

2. Also comment on how you will wear your winning Garter Tights!

For extra entries:

3. Tweet this giveaway @embellishedblog @lingerieplease

(comment separately with the URL)

4. Fan and share with your friends our FB page

Embellished (comment to be counted)

Giveaway ends 

Monday October 3rd at Midnight NYC Time

GOOD LUCK!

Fashionspiration: Farewell McQueen Exhibit

In light of the fact that this is the last few days the Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty exhibit is open at The Met, I trotted my fashionable self, coffee in tow, across The Park to the East Side...very early in the morning...to skip the line that has eagerly been accumulating each day.

I was excited to wear my new Nicole Miller top I won from their Facebook page contest! Pairing the silk printed peekaboo with Urban Outfitters shorts, a Hugo Boss belt, and Old Navy wedges (I know!), I was ready to see my favorite fashion exhibit one last time.

I love his quote about how he seeks to empower women. I feel that way through my style and I hope to serve as a backboard of ideas in which you can gain empowering fashionable inspiration from to serve yourselves the same way.

Be empowered today mes cheris!

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Harry Potter Tonight: The End is Here

After 10 years, 4,100 pages, and 17 hours and 32 minutes of movies, there are only 2 hours and 30 minutes left until the journey is at an end. Harry Potter unveils tonight at midnight to the public and yours truly will be there lining up with friends to say the last farewell. The end is here and it has been a fun ride, although I'm not the biggest HP fan of my friends, I have quite enjoyed experiencing the magic. 

From tots to awkward teens to dashing young adults, watching the cast of Harry Potter over the last 10 years has been something fun to grow with. I remember being drug to it in high school and how my intrigue grew continually with each film, so this final chapter will be one for the ages. 

 

Oh and I would not be doing proper justice to you, if I did not include this picture of the shocking difference in the Harry Potter boys now that they are grown...oh my goodness! When I saw how hot they had gotten last week at the London premier, I couldn't believe it!

Here is the New York City Harry Potter Premier that was this past week at Lincoln Center (ahem...in my neighborhood)! I was running errands and was wondering what all these people were doing camped out, then I saw the Gryffindor scarves, brooms, and signs and it clicked! Wish I could've seen the cast make their red carpet walk but alas it was 3:00 at this point, I was not waiting 3 hours...sorry guys!

Farewell Potter, it's been fun!

Savage Beauty: The Exhibit of Alexander McQueen

Spotted, on the steps of The Met, basking in the sun and ready to take in the beauty of her once beloved designer's collection, Blogger Girl is beaming in the beauty of The City in the summer... As promised my darlings, I am reporting back on the phenomenal Alexander McQueen Exhibit at The Met!

Savage Beauty is from start to finish my favorite fashion exhibit thus far. Alexander McQueen was a true visionary, an artist whose medium was clothing. Constantly pulling from all art forms for his fashion shows, he was notorious for Wowing his audience time and time again. Every collection was a complete 180 from the last. He was truly the darling of the fashion world and set the bar high as he ushered us in to the next century of style.

At The Metropolitan Museum of Art, between now and August 7th, you can explore the inner workings of Alexander McQueen up close and personal. I never thought in my life I would get to study his entire collection at one time, in one space...much less at all. But to see all the intricate folds, impeccable tailoring, and even a summary of the background of the collections was so inspiring. These are the things I dreamed of studying in my school classes, I'm so glad I get to study them for fun now!

{merci johnsimondaily.com for all exhibit photos}

{Merci The Cut}

I seriously cannot impress upon you enough how utterly amazing this exhibit is. If you are in New York this summer you simply must stop by and take it all in. And if you are, let me know!! I will definitely need to be booking time to see this again!

The Royal Wedding: Live from Times Square NYC

Well darlings, my alarm went off quite early this morning but it was totally worth it, as I got to watch The Royal Wedding of William and Catherine, Live from Times Square NYC!! Not usually a morning person, it did take some thought before deciding that getting to Times Square at 5am would be worth it, but after all it has been 29 years since the last royal wedding (and I did not get to see that one). After months of designer speculation on Women's Wear Daily, I was excited to see that Alexander McQueen (my favorite) was the chosen designer for the royal wedding gown!

I watched the royal wedding, live in Times Square NYC in the VIP tent of TLC Network! Full of English tea, scones, and beautiful modern Brit decor, the VIP tent was a nice atmosphere to view the royal wedding for such an early time in the morning.

The dress, designed by Sarah Burton of Alexander McQueen, was reminiscent of Grace Kelly's wedding dress when she became Princess Grace of Monaco. Although the custom lace design remained very reminiscent of McQueen's signature prints, the dress was most definitely toned down from the normal avant-garde look of the line, but I believe this had a lot to do with Kate's simplistic, classic style.

My favorite moment of the royal wedding was when Kate began walking down the aisle and you can see Prince Harry take a peak of her and tell Prince William how she looks. It was such an intimate brotherly moment that was so nice to witness. 

"Be who God meant you to be and 

you will set the world on fire." 

- St. Catherine of Sienna

After the royal wedding, TLC's Say Yes to the Dress performed 3 live weddings as well as a fashion show with the past brides of the show in Times Square. Oh and the lovely Colbie Caillat performed! It was certainly a memorable way to experience the royal wedding. And now my dears, this fashionista is off to catch up on some zzz's, enjoy your royally enchanted day!

Congratulations to 

Prince William and Princess Catherine!

Guest Blogger: London Shopping from BritGirlBondi

With all the Spring in the air, it is certainly the time when we are all thinking of shopping! And what could be better than traveling and shopping? So I have a guest blogger for you today to bring you the know how of the Brits! Here is some London Shopping pointers straight from the expert BritGirlBondi.

So straight from Notting Hill, Helen of BritGirlBondi...

So, Vintage.

There is a lot of blah around Vintage at the moment. I don’t know what it is like in your town, but London ?! Let’s just say this is a bandwagon everyone (including me, I must say) has jumped on. There is “Vintage” everywhere. Got an old T-shirt?! Vintage. Some 1990’s Topshop?! Vintage. What I’m here to do is it say STOP! Say no to bad vintage.

Because, Mon amis, there is so much GOOD STUFF OUT THERE! And here I am, thanks to the lovely Jessica, to tell you where to find it.

I think, like many people, what I love about vintage clothing is the real history around the items that you wear. I love it when you buy a bag and find a dry cleaning ticket from the 60’s. I love it when you buy a military coat and it has Dieppe the French soldier’s name written into the lining.

I lived in London for the last 8 years; Shoreditch, Oval, Clapham, Dulwich, Hackney….. the list goes on. I now live in Sydney, and trust me, if you are lucky enough to be in London then do go on this fabulous trail because I believe there is no place like it for treasure hunting in the world!

1. Spitalfields Antiques

Address: Brushfield and Commercial Street

Nearest Tube: Liverpool Street/Aldgate East

Online at: visitspitalfields.com

Thursdays at Spitalfields is home to the wondrous antique market. Now, I hear you cry, this is not vintage. On the contrary, I think this is the very best of vintage. Old military wares, scarves, postcards, furniture….. When I move back to the UK the first thing I will buy is a 1800’s Union Jack Flag to frame to hang next to some vintage suitcases filled with books.

2. Absolute Vintage

Address: 15 Hanbury Street

Nearest Tube: Liverpool Street/Aldgate East

Online at: absolutevintage.co.uk

Just around the corner from Spitalfields market is the Topshop of vintage. Seriously, anything you need, you can get here. It was voted one of the 100 best stores in the world, and I would have to agree, it’s pretty awesome! It is slightly overpriced, but if you are need of a vintage hit, like NOW, this place makes it so easy it’s unreal. Weirdly though, the website is rather pants, so no great pics to be shared. Luckily I have this picture of this dress I once got this awesome dress from AV…. for $60. Wow wow wow!

3. Sunday Upmarket

Address: The Old Truman Brewery, Ely’s Yard

Nearest Tube: Liverpool Street/Aldgate East

http://www.sundayupmarket.co.uk/index.html

There are many reasons I love Sunday Upmarket. Firstly is because I used to have a stall here, where I basically just put my wardrobe on sale before I moved to Sydney . What I love about this place is because many of the stalls are casual (especially on the higher levels…), there is a huge buzz and excitement about the place. People bring their dogs in, and have their friends to their stalls like it’s a social gathering (Well, I did anyway, see pics below of me and stall friends!). There is a specific vintage section to the market on the upper levels, but don’t let that distract you from the rest of the market, especially the cheaper stalls at the bottom!

Oh, and get your money out before you get there, then go for a curry on the famous Brick Lane after!

4. Rokit

Address: 42 Shelton Street

Nearest Tube: Covent Garden/Leicester Square

Online at: rokit.co.uk

I’m listing this place, basically, because it was the place that started the whole Vintage thing off in London , and started my obsession when I was only a wee 18 year London student. This place has a great central location, right in the midst of Covent Garden . What I always found Rokit best at was the Denim; rows and rows of skirts, jeans, and jackets all very well size labelled means its great for an organisation freak like me. Also I knew the staff in there at one point, they are so darned friendly. They really live and breathe what they do.

5. Portobello Road

Address: Portobello Road

Nearest Tube: Notting Hill gate

Online at: pretaportabello.com

{all photo rights to respective stores, EuropeCloseup and Helen Buchan at BritGirlBondi}

I am quite unfamiliar with Portobello Road , as I must say its rather prim compared to my get down and dirty approach to shopping. Also, I find it a bit cluttered with food stalls, and the usual trappings of a tourist destination. However, the small stores around Portobello are just gorgeous, and, if you are feeling lazy, you can just pop online to pretaportobello.com/shop/vintage.aspx. So you can have the real Portobello experience, minus the tourists, at home with a cup of tea and a biscuit. Mmmmm.

So now you know where to go….. I’ll let you in on some top tips:  

1. Haggle at stalls, you’ll always get a bit of money off if you are just super nice, or buy a few items.
2. If you like a stall, compliment it! It means a lot to the stall holder, they’ve been up since 5am making it beautiful, just for you. And you’ll probably get a discount. And if you want to take a photo, ask first.
3. Remember that most stall holders get their items from EBay. So if you can be patient, or know what you want, take the gamble.
4. Remember that Vintage is NOT NEW! Instead of worry about what is wrong with the item, think about how nice the history of it is. I promise you it will make you appreciate it much more!
5. If you can, travel for the Vintage….. the fur and old military ware of the Parisian Markets of Cliagncourt is to die for (excuse the pun on both accounts…) and apparently South America is amazing (all the old school Americana …).

I cannot wait to visit London again now that I have the local's perspec on shopping! I'll just have to really save up...that British Pound really doesn't mess around! 

Be sure to follow Helen's adventures now that she's in the land down under on her blog BritGirlBondi and on Twitter @Helen_Buchan !!