Category Archives: Museums
Trickle-down fashions
I love how this middle-class kid in Holland is wearing the same fashionable petticoat breeches with crazy ribbon trim that kings were wearing across Europe – it really shows the international power of fashion! These breeches had legs that were … Continue reading
17th century sock lines
I love discovering images that make history feel more like real life. In this somewhat risqué painting of a lady taking her stockings off, you can clearly see the indentations left from the garters that had held her stockings up … Continue reading
Why table legs have boobs
Ever wonder why table legs have boobs? I just found out they’re good practice for the uninitiated. This boy and his friend had been sitting on the floor giggling and fondling this poor table leg for a while. When discovered … Continue reading
The 2014 Met Gala Best-Dressed List
Okay, okay, okay. Everybody’s been asking what I thought about the Met Gala the other night, so for whatever it’s worth, here’s my take on things. I was really disappointed in the men mostly totally ignoring the new dress code … Continue reading
What we make fashion out of
Well, not clothes, necessarily. But accessories are usually included in with whatever that unwieldy word “fashion” includes, and are often places to find unique and interesting materials. I saw some interesting examples at the Museum of Bags and Purses* in … Continue reading
Happy Birthday, Shakespeare!
Nobody really knows what day Shakespeare was born, but they DO know it was in 1564, and it is traditionally celebrated on April 23rd, the day of his death in 1616. So, Happy 450th Birthday, Will! In celebration, I visited … Continue reading
It’s the Ugly Betty Dress!
Another one for the obscure “I-never-thought-I’d-really-see-this-in-person” category! So, I show this painting to my fashion students every semester: Part of it is talking about early 17th century women’s dress, but I use it as a metaphor for their own designs … Continue reading
The Egtved Girl
I’m not sure exactly why I’m so obsessed with the Bronze-Age Egtved Girl. I think it might be her string skirt. Possibly something to do with my prehistoric-textile-expert-idol, Elizabeth Wayland Barber. In any case, I got to visit her at … Continue reading
Folk Art & Contemporary Crafts
There’s an exhibition on Folk Art at the Nordiska Museet that I thought my craft-y friends would particularly appreciate. Many people are struggling to figure out how “crafts” participate in contemporary culture, and I think the mission statements here will … Continue reading
Nordiska Museet
The Nordiska Museet is devoted to the cultural history of Sweden from the 16th century to the present. A few observations about this museum that already makes me feel like I’m not in America anymore: 1. They aren’t afraid of … Continue reading