Archive for September, 2009
Russian Military Uniform 1908
Image Credit: Military Fashion, John Mollo, 1972
Good Cardigans & Bad Neighbors
Before Mr. Rogers showed us the kinder, gentler side of the cardigan, it served as the garment of choice for a man that is categorized as a bad neighbor at best.
James Brudenell, the 7th Earl of Cardigan, was expelled from his British school for fighting. Later in life, Mr. Brudenell was known for causing much scandal in both his love life and military career. Brudenell was reprimanded for both bullying and dueling his military companions- and was denied an honor by Queen Victoria due to her knowledge of his sensational reputation.
The Earl of Cardigan prided himself in style, and was often seen wearing the sweater he popularized. The sweater soon became known as a “cardigan” after the Earl who so boldly donned it. It appears that the cardigan itself is more buttoned up than its namesake.
More about cardigans here; Fact Credit: Wikipedia
Image Credit: tresbienshop.net; “Gang Cardigan” by S.N.S. Herning
A Wallet That Delivers
Image Credit: louisvuitton.com
The word “wallet” is a translation of the ancient Greek word kibisis. The ancient version of the wallet played a pivotal role in Greek Mythology. The term kibisis was used to describe the sack Perseus used to carry the slain head of the Gorgon Medusa- a mortal turned monster due to her vanity. The Greek god Hermes also used a kibisis to deliver messages from his fellow gods. Today a kibisis, or wallet, still carries valuable items sometimes used to catch dangerous women, or send powerful messages.
Fact Credit: Wikipedia & essortment.com
Mixing Two Patterns
According to menswear expert Alan Flusser, there are rules to mixing different patterns. When mixing two of the same patterns such as two stripes or two checks, keep them as different in size or scale as possible. If the scales are too similar, it creates the optical illusion of vibration.
The opposite rule comes into play when mixing two different patterns, like a stripe with a check. When mixing two different patterns, keep them as similar in scale as possible.
*Alan’s exception: when mating two different patterns that are very small in scale, it’s hard on the eyes. It’s rare to see someone on T.V. wearing two small patterns at the same time because it can throw the camera out of focus.
Image Credit: apc.fr
Fact Credit: Dressing The Man, Alan Flusser, p. 67-71
Good Vibrations
Image Credit: Pendleton X Opening Ceremony shirt via openingceremony.us
“The Pendletons” were a 1960s rock and roll band self-named after the Pendleton brand wool plaid shirts favored by 1960s American surf culture. The band later changed their name to “The Beach Boys”.
This post is dedicated to Nerd Boyfriend; Fact Credit: Wikipedia
The Beach Boys via Google Images
As American as Right to Left Tie
Image Credit: Band of Outsiders via Hypebeast
British regimental tie stripes run diagonally from the left shoulder down to the right side of the body. This mirrors the left over right jacket closure- designed to prevent sword interference as soldiers unsheathed their weapons. In a statement of independence, American tie stripes run diagonally from the right shoulder down to the left side of the body as seen above. A nice pneumonic is the right handed Pledge of Allegiance.
Fact Credit: Dressing The Man, Alan Flusser, p.152
Image Credit: Band of Outsiders via Hypebeast
Crumb Catcher
Tradition dictates that a single-breasted coat should be worn with either a vest or cummerbund. The cummerbund is a pleated sash that was first imported by the British military from India.
According to Hoyle, pleats should always face up. The story behind this rule varies depending on the source. Some say the pleats face up to hold your opera tickets, others say that the cummerbund can act as a “crumb catcher”.
Today, cummerbunds are worn more for aesthetic reasons, providing a transition between your shirt and waistband.
Fact Credit: Wikipedia.ca
Image Credit: Esquire.com
Fashion’s Night Out
Keeping Time
Image Credit: openingceremony.com
In 1933, a company by the name of Ingersoll was the first to make a Mickey Mouse watch licensed under Disney – Mickey’s hands kept the time. Ingersoll later became Timex- famous for the slogan “takes a licking and keeps on ticking”.
Fact Credit: Wikipedia
Boss of The Plains
The cowboy hat is strongly associated with the American “Wild West”. The lifestyle of early European settlers called for high crowned hats that provided warmth and shade for their eyes as they looked upon the unsettled, or ‘wild’ western territory.
High crowned, broad brimmed hats date back to 13th century Mongolian horseman, yet John Stetson is generally credited with inventing the cowboy hat as we know it. Stetson’s “Boss of the Pains” hats were worn by early American cattle herders and wranglers.
Around Steton’s time, haberdashers were still developing muscle twitches from the poisonous effects of the mercury used to make felt. A bow on the inside of cowboy hats is a tribute to past makers, and symbolizes the skull and crossbones used to warn of poisonous substances.
Fact Credit: Wikipedia
Image Credit: http://www.adamkimmel.com/