Tuesday, September 10, 2013

A New Look at Fall

You guys! No sooner had I written that post about how to recreate the vintage-style wardrobe as seen in Whit Stillman's Damsels in Distress than I got a look at the September issue of my favorite magazine to find that the New Look is in vogue for fall/winter 2013. That's right, girls, clothes look like clothes again this season.

For those who aren't costume nerds, Christian Dior created his first collection for his eponymous label in 1947, featuring teensy waists, soft shoulders, and billowing skirts. The look was achieved through rigid internal construction, padded hips and crinolined skirts and was quite a change from the austere looks of wartime fabric rationing. The new, ultra-feminine look earned Dior a fanatical following in the women moving out of the workplace and back into the home when the boys came home.

What's important here is that the New Look silhouette looks good on everybody. You don't need to be wafer thin (as for a Gucci pantsuit) or eight feet tall (hello, Ralph Lauren), to find some aspect of the trend to suit your figure and your lifestyle. If it's a swirling skirt, a pretty coat, or a chic monochrome palette, there are lots of ways to bring the 2013 version of this style into your wardrobe. Make sure you leave out the crinolines and to keep the hair and makeup low key to keep it from looking too costumey. Personally I am rejoicing over the beautiful dresses, because really, can one have too many?

Vintage sewing nerds, our time has come; finally this look is back in fashion. If you are handy with a sewing machine, now is the time to take a look at the new collection of Vintage Vogues, and especially the vintage-style Butterick patterns which include, yes indeed, a pattern for an updated Bar Suit by the blogosphere's very own Gertie. My first project is definitely going to be a circle skirt. Maybe a little jacket. Or a lacy dress? So little time! So many ideas!

(images from style.com)

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