Book Review: How to Read a Suit by Lydia Edwards

'For the past four hundred years, men in western countries have used the three- or two-piece suit - jacket and trousers, often with a waistcoat - to express [...] identity, and as such it has become a universal symbol of masculinity.'[1] Menswear. For me, historically and notoriously difficult to read. I think in part, because …

Fashion History Weekly Round-Up: 2/12/19

Welcome back to the Fashion History Weekly Round-Up! Here are some of the things I've seen this week that have inspired and fascinated me... #1 - 'A Rare Glimpse Inside The Met's Costume Institute Conservation Laboratory' from Vogue A real treat - a behind the scenes insight into one of the busiest fashion and dress …

Guest Blog Post from Rachel Sayers: The History of Irish Dress 1750-1850

whatgrandmawore is pleased to welcome our first guest post from Rachel Sayers! Within the study of fashion history, Irish dress is one of the most neglected and under-researched aspects. There have been less than ten major texts on Irish fashion to be published in the last 40 years, making writing, disseminating and researching Irish dress history …

Blooming Marvellous: A Review of the V&A’s Fashioned From Nature Exhibition

Fashioned From Nature could not have come at a more critical time. Increased environmental awareness has finally seemed to resonate with the population. Hopefully, and crucially, it will and has made people aware of their own behaviours; how they personally impact the planet on which we live, and share. Reactions to programmes such as BBC’s Blue …

Big, Small, Short and Long: A Brief History of Fashionable Silhouettes

'Fashion consists only in extremes [...] frivolity and death.' 'Does fashion die [...] because it can no longer keep up the tempo?' Walter Benjamin - The Arcades Project The fashion system relies on a never-ending cycle of newness, spectacle, emulation and death. This is how fashion works - without the invention of new, or the recycling …

Fashion Dolls: Pandoras to Barbies

The doll is frequently discussed within the context of childhood. Rarely do we regard the doll as anything outside of this realm. As an owner of many dolls myself, reference to the doll often leads to the reminiscence of my younger self playing with many of these toys, such as the Baby Born, who allowed …