historical fashion


Singer celebrates 160 years of sewing

Many Fashionistas only need to walk a few feet away from their closet in order to rest their eyes on a Singer sewing machine. Almost everyone who owns a sewing machine owns a Singer.  Sewing machines are used for many reasons in the homes of fashion-savvy, would-be seamstresses. They are used for shortening hemlines, repairing children’s clothing, making costumes for Halloween or school plays and also for creating designs of one’s own.

Singer has been the premiere choice for sewing machines for the past 160 years. In celebration of their anniversary, Singer has built a website which highlights the history of the Singer sewing machine. Singer owners can also enter the serial number of their machine and learn where and when their machine was built. Singer is encouraging machine owners to enter their stories on the website and automatically be entered to win one of the new 2012, limited edition commemorative machines which will be available January 2012.

I have a Singer sewing machine which was originally my Mother’s. The sewing machine was purchased in the mid-1960’s and still works great! My Mother made all of my Halloween costumes throughout my childhood on this machine. Being 5’4” my Mother also shortened all of my hemlines throughout my youth and taught me her skills. When I was nine I designed and sewed my first dress on our Singer sewing machine; with my Mother’s guidance of course. I was very proud of this dress. It was pink with large grey polka dots and bow tie straps. I made sure the skirt was large enough to create a big bubble when I spun in a circle. Now the Singer is used for my family. She still runs like the first day my Mother purchased her.

Do you have a story about your Singer sewing machine? Enter your story at mysingerstories.com

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From top: Singer circa 1868, Singer ad circa 1851.
Photos courtesy of Singer


Why do we wear green on St. Patrick’s Day?

Have you ever wondered why people wear green on St. Patrick’s Day? It has nothing to do with the fact that Ireland is sometimes referred to as the “Emerald Isle.” It also has nothing to do with green being St. Patrick’s favorite color  Green is worn on St. Patrick’s Day in order to honor an ancient Irish custom. The custom originated hundreds of years ago when the Irish burned leaves and boughs in the spring. After burning the leaves and boughs, they would spread the ashes on the fields in order to make the land richer. By wearing green, people are honoring this ancient custom.

It would be fabulous if this custom actually made the land richer in wealth as oppose to fertile. If the land was rich in wealth, we could grow our money in the backyard! A girl can dream. . .

Source: Cantwell, Mary; St. Patrick’s Day; Thomas Y. Crowell Company New York, 1967

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Photo: Getty Images

 


Denim trends for spring 2011

Every time denim makes a big splash for a particular season, the smiles on Fashionistas in the Bay Area grow slightly larger. Denim is one of the fashion claims to fame we have here in the San Francisco Bay Area and it is no secret that we are proud of our denim history and how important denim has become over the last century to fashion around the world. Denim started its’ Bay Area history during the gold rush when Levi Strauss found the gold miners were in dire need of pants that were durable. Since the gold rush, Levi Strauss continually improved upon the pants and soon ventured into creating other types of garments using the thick fabric that was made stronger with the use of rivets; an innovation from Levi Strauss himself.

Fast forward to spring 2011 and denim is popping up, once again, on everything imaginable. Denim dresses, shirts, jackets, shoes and handbags are popping up on store shelves this spring with a vengeance. Interestingly enough, denim appeared on the spring 2011 ready-to-wear runways, but not with a large impact. Store buyers seem to understand that consumers love denim since it washes well, wears well and for some reason is incredibly flattering. Wonder if Levi Strauss knew back in the 1800’s that his pants would become the ultimate way for a woman to show off her, shall we say, derriere?

Denim pants for spring are popping up in several silhouettes; the skinny jean, wide leg jean, classic boot cut and the cropped skinny jean. In addition to pants, there are denim dresses in casual and structured styles; such as the structured, vintage 1940’s style by Lela Rose which offers a slim silhouette, cap sleeves and square neckline.

Denim shorts are being shown in short styles as well as Bermuda lengths and Prada even created a denim peacoat for spring. Handbags are sitting on store shelves in denim by designers such as Prada, Gucci, Christian Louboutin and Kooba have created denim handbags in varying styles for spring 2011 as well. Denim shoes are flying off of store shelves; Christian Louboutin created denim kitten heels for spring which are already creating a waiting list at Neiman Marcus.

The verdict is in! Denim is, once again, hot. So feel free to stock up on denim items, they are classic, easy to care for and part of Bay Area history. Love it! Happy shopping and stay fabulous 

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Prada spring 2011 denim tote bage with detachable strap.
Photo: Prada