From Crayons to Perfume...

It's late August. It isn't really autumn yet, but it's not full-blown summer either. Lots of school kids have gone back to school, and soon the college & university kids will be going back as well. There's something about late August and the month of September that makes me want to buy lots of pencils, and pens, and paper products. I also have to fight the urge to start wearing ties, cardigans and pleated skirts.

This got me thinking - is the 'school-girl' look just something for a Halloween costume, or is it truly fashionable in its own right? Naturally, I cast my eyes back in time, starting in the 1920's, when women going to college became more acceptable and mainstream, ( though lots of nick-names & jokes were made about them - collegiates, coeds, etc.). So I have a few vintage examples, and even some modern ones (!) and you can decide for yourself if you'll run out and buy that plaid skirt after all!

Maybe if you went to uni in the 1920s, you'd dress like this! Yes, please!

I wish I could see the rest of her outfit. Although I'd never be brave enough to wear checks & stripes together, I think it looks adorable, and has a school-girl look to it. 

Clara Bow playing a college girl in "Wild Party". I love her outfit!

These clothes are campus approved! Aw, yeah!

Plaid & argyle! An irresistible combination!

Ties, braces & argyle socks. 

Ooh! Tweed! 

Let Me Be Emily Blunt

I know that I continually walk a fine line between movies and fashion, but in this case, I feel that doing a post on Emily Blunt is all about fashion. She may be one of my favorite actresses (and arguably one of the best actresses out there at that), but she is also a wonderful fashion presence on the red carpet, and has been in countless, amazing fashion editorials. She can be stunningly beautiful and also the girl next door, all at the same time. For me, she is a delight to be seen, both on the page and on the screen. 

I love this playful, polka dot piece!

The sparkly necklace teamed with this simple orange dress is a lovely combination!

The detail on this dress is amazing! And I love the metallic silver!

Simple and elegant.

With her husband John Krasinski (on the left). I love this retro look! And even though she throws me off a little when she is blonde, I still think she looks great!

I have a secret fondness for one shoulder ensembles. The cut and color of this is perfect!

The dress is nice, but that necklace and those shoes are staggering!

I love this soft, pink, ruffled number!

Just to give a quick background on her, she was born and raised in South West London, and was given a rigorous education. What many people don't know is that she had a stammer (or stutter) when she was young. When she was 12 she had a teacher that told her to play a character in a different accent, and her stammering was thus cured! I think this really explains why she is a great actress and also why she is so good at doing different accents!

This mono-tone picture is stunning!

Aside from the fact that these boys look like they're about 14, she looks amazing!

Large, black hat. Yes, please!

I'm not sure what she took these for, but I am in love with these ode-to-pin-ups! Plus, she's never looked better!

A little revealing, but in a good way. I would wear that dress too if I looked like her!

I'm kind of in love with the stockings in this picture. Plus, she always looks great with heavy eye makeup!

This most definitely makes me want to buy this perfume!

Aside from her amazing acting chops, she also excels at sports, cello and singing. In a nutshell, she isn't just beautiful, but smart and talented as well. She's the whole package! So, I hope you enjoy these photos as much as I do! And if you haven't seen The Young Victoria yet, go out and rent it right now! Actually, just go ahead and buy it.

Possibly my favorite picture of her ever! That dress blows me away!

Ode to the 1820s

I apologise if you read the title of this post and roll your eyes. I know I've covered the Jane Austen period (roughly 1800 to 1815) and I've also gone over the 1830s, so you might not think it entirely necessary to dedicate an entire post to the 1820s. But I'm going to anyway!

I feel as though the 1820s are a neglected decade, fashion history-wise. And it's a somewhat transitional look - you get the high waist of the Regency, but the sleeves are starting to get big, and the skirts a little wider (and quite decorative). Lately I just can't stop staring at some of these dresses - I think they're stunning!

Lovely brown velvet with beautiful decoration on the hem.

This, apparently, is an archery dress. Wow!

This is much simpler, but it is one of my favourites.

A black velvet mourning dress from Scotland.

An interesting sort-of bib front.

Funky material - isn't it great?

Some wild stuff going on here on the hem. Also the bodice is very odd as well. 

Ooh! So pretty!

This is another favourite of mine. I love how there isn't a 'waist' line, it all just swoops down the length of the dress.

It's a Plaid, Plaid World

McCloud plaid on a traditionally garbed piper.

I come from a very Scottish background, and was raised to know the importance of a family tartan (see photo above). To a certain extent, I was smothered in all-things-Scottish. That being said, over the years, I have still learned to embrace plaid, and today I am always thrilled to see it pop up in various sizes, shapes and colors! It looks like plaid is making yet another comeback this fall! I'm excited to see how these designs trickle down to the average consumer!

This Moschino line kills me! I want every single piece!

I love how traditional this is, and yet there is still a modern twist.

This Dolce and Gabbana line is also wonderful! I love the 70's flair to it!

I would wear the outfit on the right. Right now. Even in 100 degree weather!

Chanel also has a heavily tartaned collection this year. I especially love this collection as it is also inspired by historical costumes in an awesome and funky way!

I love the combination of plaids here, and that coat is heavenly!

They are using Tilda Swinton for their ad campaign, which is a brilliant choice as far as I'm concerned.  She has such extraordinary facial structure & features! Again, I am in love with this collection and it's overall sumptuous, royal feel.

Emma Watson wearing McQ. It is adorable and perfect!

This dark plaid dress on Kelly Ripa is very pretty!

I loved going slowly back in time to find good examples of plaid usage! As far as recent history goes, I think it suited the 60's and 70's particularly well, for some reason. But it really is wonderful in any time period!

I love this pic of Jaclyn Smith in this simple but lovely plaid button up. (Or is that snaps? Even better!)

This 70's suit leaves me breathless! The colors are fantastic!

This seems a little more of a 60's to 70's transition outfit.  The long vest is pretty groovy.

To me, this 60's dress is completely perfect! Not only is the plaid itself beautiful, but the dress' cut and design leaves me drooling! I would wear this without hesitation!

I love this simple 50's frock! So whimsical and playful!

Audrey Hepburn sporting another simple plaid shirt. But I love how the 50's version looks completely different from the 70's version.

This 40's outfit is so lovely! The hat and gloves are a wonderful compliment to the entire look.

What a great picture! Just two plaid ladies hanging out in a tree.

This is a beautiful picture of Lucille Ball in a stunning gown!

I am no historian, but from my brief research, I cannot find plaid in fashion any earlier than the mid 1700's. They may have been the first to bring plaid out of the back woods of Scotland and exploit it. If this is true, I suppose that plaid lived mainly in Scotland and rarely ventured forth into other parts of the world or society before this time, which is something I had never thought of before now; That plaid, at some point, was a fashion first.
But, again, I'm not sure if I'm right about this. So feel free to correct me.

This is somewhere in the 1880's. My favorite is the blue and red one!

From the late 1860's. I love the use of fringe!

Probably from the 1850's. I love the colors and the sleeves!

This is one of my overall favorites, probably from the early 1850's.  That material is  phenomenal, and I love the cut of that dress! I could honestly almost see this on a red carpet today.

1830's. I love the affect that the pleating gives to the overall look!

1818. Lovely dress, and the cape thing is very interesting, but I've never been a big fan of those hats.

I know this dress from the 1780's is a bit of a stretch  in the paid department, but it is too beautiful to pass up!

These next two beauties are from roughly the 1770's.

I love how similar they are! I think if I had to choose, I'd choose this one though.

This 1760's dress is a little simpler, but still beautiful!

The moral of this story is that plaid is awesome! Buy it when you can! Because, if it goes out of fashion, it will always return in a year or two. I guarantee it.