These Foolish Things...

The song "These Foolish Things" from the 1930s is a classic love song. The lyrics are lovely and evoke a sense of longing for a lost love. This has been one of my favourite songs for years, and recently I looked it up online, and there's a story that goes with it. Apparently the man who wrote the lyrics had an affair with the actress Anna May Wong, and wrote this song about her after they had parted ways.

I've only seen Anna May Wong in one film (Shanghai Express, the film where Marlene Dietrich looks her most meltingly beautiful), but she was unique for being a Chinese film star in the 1920s and 1930s in an era of film-making when western folks would play asian folks. Bad idea, if you ask me, but that's how it often went.

So I thought it might be nice to write a post exploring the fashion of Anna May Wong, a beautiful Chinese film star.

A unique fringe.

Lovely Chinese dress!

Wearing a gown designed by Editih Head.

LOVE this hat!

A dress from the 1930s, similar to the one pictured above.

With Sid Graumann, Conrad Nagal and I think that's Norma Talmadge (it is, I checked).  

Whether wearing more traditional, Chinese-style fashion...

Or Western garb, she was always elegant and stunning.

Anyone for Tea?

My dear friend recently sent me an article which focused on "tea gowns." Before reading this article, I had only been vaguely aware of their existence. And I'm assuming many of you are the same. So, please allow me to indulge in a little history.

Apparently, many women were having health issues connected to corsets. So, in the late 1870's, the tea dress was developed, to be worn sans corset. It was originally meant to be worn solely at home around tea time (obviously). Women warmed to these comfortable clothing alternatives so quickly, that by 1888 Mrs. Johnstone wrote in The  Woman's World, "Dressmakers are directing more attention to tea-gowns than almost any other style of dress, the demands are  so great."

The thing that is most wonderful to me about the advent and subsequent popularity of the tea gown is that, since these articles of clothing were solely used at home, women were free to design and embellish these gowns however they wanted. As a result, they quickly became very elaborate and decorative. Mrs. Johnstone wrote, "the loose, unconventional robe is not influenced by the last decree of fashion and the wearer's personality seems to have scope for freer expression in this picturesque garment."

Of course, as time passed, it slowly became more acceptable to wear these gowns to more then just tea, and then even outside of the home. (gasp!) By the 1920's, the tea gown had made way for such things as "boudoir gowns," and "tea jackets," and then "afternoon" or "cocktail frocks." Unfortunately, by the 1930's they had pretty much disappeared. 

It could just be the Downton Abbey in me speaking, but I sort of like the idea of changing outfits throughout the day. I love the idea that certain clothes are meant to be worn for certain occasions. But modernity has won out, and we are all left here with one boring outfit per day, drooling over the delicate flounces and laces of history.

*Special thanks to Beth Burkhiser and Tea Time magazine.

Oscar fashion of the Past: 1929 to 1999

The Acadamy Awards started in 1929, and has been going every year since. In the first few years, I don't think it was as big a deal as it has since become, but there have been lovely dresses along the way. I obviously can't go through every single one, so I'm just going to choose the ones I thought were pretty - or remarkable - in some way, among women who won for best actress.

Since 1929 is the first year, I thought I should include the first Oscar winner's dress. But I hate to confess, that the 1929 dress is not fancy at all. And I'm quite disappointed with the fare from the 1930s as well. But trawling through all the past decades of the Oscars has revealed that a lot of the dresses aren't anything to write home about. Enjoy the ones I've selected below!

Janet Gaynor & Douglas Fairbanks

Luise Rainer from 1938. I wish I knew the colour of the dress! Also, a long view would be good too.

I'm not sure if I like Bette Davis's dress from 1939, but the feathers ARE interesting.

I quite like this dress that Ginger Rogers is sporting at the 1941 Acadamy Awards. 

I don't know if this coloration is right, but it gives you an interesting idea of the dress.

There seem to be only close-ups of these old dresses and it is VERY frustrating. I don't really like this dress of Joan Fontaine's (1942), but the collar that turns into a mantilla is quite unique. 

Again, it's hard to judge on a close-up, but I quite like what I see of Jennifer Jones's 1944 dress.

This drapey number looks quite interesting.  Jane Wyman, 1949.

Olivia De Havilland, 1950. It's much better than her 1947 dress.

Audrey Hepburn, 1954. I love this simple, lace dress.

STUNNING! This classic lime green dress of Grace Kelly's (1955) is just beautiful.

I quite like this colourful gown worn by Elizabeth Taylor in 1961.

HIDEOUS!!!! But I thought I'd include it as Barbra Streisand is the first best actress winning female to wear trousers (1969)

Meryl Streep in 1983. It may not be the prettiest dress, but the beadwork is nice, Meryl was pregnant at the time, and, I think, looks just lovely!

Susan Sarandon, 1996. I think this brown silk affair is quite lovely. 

The Oscars 2014 Did Not Disappoint

Many nude ladies.

I really wanted to try to post this last night, but I just haven't had the chance. I will start off by saying that I was generally pleased by the Red Carpet Fashion of yesterday. There were not a lot of surprises, and perhaps too many played it safe, but on the whole people were beautiful and the night was very satisfying! There seemed to be a general trend of nude colored gowns with embellishments. There wet cute pregnant women. There were some horrendous choices and some jaw dropping beauties. I will start the list with the best of the evening, and then descend from there. Hope you enjoy:


THE BEST

Oh Lupita! You really made my night! This soft light blue, Grecian gown was complete perfection! And I love what she did with her hair. Plus, her acceptance speech for Best Supporting Actress was beautiful!

I'm pretty sure Emma Watson could wear anything and I would love it. This has just the right amount of youth, edge and sparkle to make it one of my favorites of the evening!

This elaborate gown on one of my favorite red carpet women was a huge risk. When I first saw it from afar I was skeptical. But as soon as I saw a close up, I was sold! The interesting neckline and chunky sequins were so unusual and utterly gorgeous!

Some might think that this should go in my "pretty but boring" category, but there is something about the cut and simple folds on this dress that really gets me! Amy Adams looks flawless!

I was undecided at first on Charlise's dress, but the more I looked at it, the more I loved it! That crazy neckline is so interesting and I love the subtle detail in the skirt.

Aside from the fact that this dress did Julia Roberts' bust no favors, I still loved it. Yes, it borders on Granny a little, but I love that lace detail at the neckline, and the skirt flounce somehow works.

THE PREGNANT

That soft, flawy purple looked so perfect on Kerry Washington. I'm not so crazy about the one in the middle, but I love the simple, black dress on Olivia Wilde.

Aw! What a cute couple!

THE PRETTY BUT BORING

Sandra Bullock certainly looks beautiful, but I just find that this dress is too average looking.

I do not like what Jennifer Lawrence did with her hair, and like Sandra's, I just find her dress to be meh.

THE BOYS

I'll take the one in the tux.

I think I liked Benedict Cumberbatch's look the best. Classic and sharp!

I thought Will Smith looked great, but I abhorred Jada's pink/peach dress!

THE NOT SO GOOD

As much as I like Anna Kendrick, I just thought there was too much going on with this dress. Me no likey!

I kept wanting to like this, but at the end of the day, it made her look frumpy and old.

I really hated the shape of those sparkly accents on this dress! I felt it made her chest look droopy.

In comparison to Lupita's Grecian-style gown, this one was a poor attempt. I hated the uneven belt and the strange wrap around train. I honestly thought that she might be trying to hide a cast under there.

Oh Kristin Chenowith! She looked pretty, and this extremely bold dress certainly matches her personality. But ultimately, there is WAY too much going on, and I really hate that scoop front neck line.

Finally, I leave you with one more view of the overall, landslide winner. Goodbye until next year. Parting is such sweet sorrow!