BLOG 3: ANCIENT EGYPT

We are studying the dress of the Ancient Egypt, which was made mostly of linen which was usually kept natural colored or bleached white. The Egyptian dyers were unfamiliar with dyes so they kept the clothes the natural cream color. Short skirts or schentis were worn by men during the Old Kingdom, or age of the pyramids, but by the Middle Kingdom skirts were to the ankle and they started using dye for items like the sheath dress. This was a colorful tightly fitted dress that was sometimes worn with a bead net dress over it. It was the most common garment for women of all classes. For ornamentation of fabrics they would cut off the left over warp yarn of fabrics to leave as fringe or tie into tassels. This gave their outfits more character as linen skirts were very plain. To add even more ornamentation to their look Egyptians favored gold jewelry with semi-precious and precious stones. Jeweled belts were also the main source of color along with jewelry. They also wore false beards; a sign of maturity and authority, kohl eyeliner, and wigs to enhance their wardrobe. Social class was a big factor in the dress of the ancient Egyptians. The wealthy pharaohs wore the most jewelry and elaborate schentis while the slaves and workers wore shorter, plain linen schentis. In general, clothing for all classes and ages was minimal and simple with little construction. For the lower class women tunics and v-neck dresses were commonly worn. Only high class Egyptians wore sandals while the lower class went barefoot. By the New Kingdom era the clothes had gotten a little more complex with more accessories and more versatility. Egyptians wore the skin of animals because they believed that the wearer of the skins would gain the powers of that animal. Rulers like pharaohs wore different styles of headdresses, which showed noble status. “Social life, social roles, social class structure and changes and/or patterns in social behavior undoubtedly shaped clothing practices in this civilization” (SHC, Ubank p.47). The clothing of the Ancient Egyptians was relatively simple, but their jewelry and accessories were important to show the division in status. 

-Virginia Boswell & Elle Finney 

Tortora, Phyllis G., and Keith Eubank. Survey of Historic Costume: a History of Western Dress. New York, NY: Fairchild Publications, 2010. Print.

Fashion History Blog 2: Observing Fashion

Both of these red-carpet dresses are a beautiful blue with unique silhouettes that accent the actresses legs and arms. Though one is a short mini-dress and one a maxi-dress with a slit up one leg, both dresses are a flattering blue which looks great on the actress. The mini-dress uses embroidery and 3 dimensional add-ons of fabric to make a bold design that draws the eye to the shoulder and ultimately to her face. In both pictures she wears minimal heels in a neutral color as to not take too much attention away from the dress. The maxi-dress also uses one open shoulder and slit as to make the dress youthful and fun for a young actress. The deep V-neck also adds sex appeal just like the mini-dress does for her legs. I personally love this color blue and think that both of these dresses are beautiful and though both dresses are very different in style, they both accentuate the great parts of her body and are youthful looks for the red carpet. One dress is slinky and soft while the other is a geometrical piece of art.

This actress is my favorite actress and style icon, Blake Lively. She became known as a style icon on Gossip Girl as she played an Upper East side "it" girl. Blake Lively is not just a fashionista as the character on her show, she continues to have impeccable style even off screen- as seen here on the red carpet. She is a young actress with huge sex appeal which she plays up in these two dresses. These dresses show her star power and show her as a true fashion icon. Everything she wears, from jeans and a shirt to cocktail dresses have a unique style that is all her own.

Fashion History BLOG 1

This is my sister, Kate (on the left) in an olive green Alice and Olivia cocktail dress. It is a strapless dress with sequin top, a black waistband, and olive green straight form-fitting silhouette. The flare of fabric at the hips accentuates a small waist. The dress resembles  a women's work pencil skirt but is made into an evening dress by the sequins on top. The dress fastens with a zipper up the back that is somewhat hidden. She ties the look together with open-toed black booties that match the black waistband.

My sister Kate is a complete fashionista, who I share clothes and styles with. Though she likes to go with the funkier clothing trends, Kate is reflected in this dress because it is classy yet trendy. The sequins and tight silhouette make it modern while it still has a classic feel. Just like her style, trendy but will always look good.