An article hosting the opinion of Joan Collins caught my eye: Have we lost the art of dressing up?
My mother-in-law, Freda, has commented on that subject many times, so I think it must be fairly apparent to women of a certain age that we just don't dress up like we used to. Freda often points to New Year's Eve as the perfect example.
As a young woman in the 1940s, on New Year's Eve she and her friends would dress very lavishly, anticipating a night of ballroom dancing. The gentlemen would sport their finest tux and tie. A corsage presented by your date as he picked you up at the door was traditional.
And, of course, many of us recall a time when ladies would always wear a dress and bonnet to church...well, at least I am old enough to remember. [sigh]
I mention this because I've recently been forced to scrutinize my own wardrobe with a critical eye. My sister and I are going with Mom for a "Mother-Daughter" escape to Mackinac Island and The Grand Hotel—Mom's birthday present from us.
Our reservation included the usual courtesy information about baggage handling and check-in times, as well as one rule which you don't encounter in most hotels nowadays:
Well, Terry and I talked it over on the phone, and since our stay at the hotel will coincide with their annual "Somewhere in Time" weekend event, we thought it would be fun to approximate Victorian-era attire.
Of course, I didn't have a fall dress in my closet that even remotely met the criteria—the perfect excuse to go shopping! Thank God for the Internet, because Northern Michigan isn't exactly a mecca for women in need of a Victorian-style dress.
I finally found one that I like, a modern cut with a lot of lace, so *Click! Click!* I ordered it, and it should arrive by the first of the week. I hope it fits because there won't be time to reorder. Keep your fingers crossed for me!
A detail of the lacework at the wrists and hem:
Very pretty, huh? And, as every woman knows, a new dress just won't work unless it's paired with the right shoes... *Click! Click!*
...and the right evening bag...*Click! Click!*
Fortunately for my Visa Card, I do happen to already have the perfect necklace and earrings. Whew!
I feel a little like Cinderella after a visit from my Fairy Godmother before heading to the Ball. I hope Terry is having as much luck planning for our dress-up date.
Now, we spend the rest of the week anticipating, which everyone knows is half the fun!
I think Joan Collins (and my mother-in-law) would be proud!
~ Robin
My mother-in-law, Freda, has commented on that subject many times, so I think it must be fairly apparent to women of a certain age that we just don't dress up like we used to. Freda often points to New Year's Eve as the perfect example.
As a young woman in the 1940s, on New Year's Eve she and her friends would dress very lavishly, anticipating a night of ballroom dancing. The gentlemen would sport their finest tux and tie. A corsage presented by your date as he picked you up at the door was traditional.
And, of course, many of us recall a time when ladies would always wear a dress and bonnet to church...well, at least I am old enough to remember. [sigh]
I mention this because I've recently been forced to scrutinize my own wardrobe with a critical eye. My sister and I are going with Mom for a "Mother-Daughter" escape to Mackinac Island and The Grand Hotel—Mom's birthday present from us.
Our reservation included the usual courtesy information about baggage handling and check-in times, as well as one rule which you don't encounter in most hotels nowadays:
"Dress policy. After 6:30 p.m. ladies are attired in their finest and gentlemen are required to wear a coat and necktie."
Well, Terry and I talked it over on the phone, and since our stay at the hotel will coincide with their annual "Somewhere in Time" weekend event, we thought it would be fun to approximate Victorian-era attire.
Of course, I didn't have a fall dress in my closet that even remotely met the criteria—the perfect excuse to go shopping! Thank God for the Internet, because Northern Michigan isn't exactly a mecca for women in need of a Victorian-style dress.
I finally found one that I like, a modern cut with a lot of lace, so *Click! Click!* I ordered it, and it should arrive by the first of the week. I hope it fits because there won't be time to reorder. Keep your fingers crossed for me!
A detail of the lacework at the wrists and hem:
Very pretty, huh? And, as every woman knows, a new dress just won't work unless it's paired with the right shoes... *Click! Click!*
...and the right evening bag...*Click! Click!*
Fortunately for my Visa Card, I do happen to already have the perfect necklace and earrings. Whew!
I feel a little like Cinderella after a visit from my Fairy Godmother before heading to the Ball. I hope Terry is having as much luck planning for our dress-up date.
Now, we spend the rest of the week anticipating, which everyone knows is half the fun!
I think Joan Collins (and my mother-in-law) would be proud!
~ Robin
2 comments:
Nice dress... it reminds me of the curtains in our old house. If you still had them you could have sewn them into a dress and saved yourself some money!
OMG, you're right! LOL In fact, I still have a pair of those curtains in the office. The tiers are pretty short though...it would have to be a mini-skirt. ;)
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