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Friday, September 17, 2010

On a lighter note . . .

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After NY's Spring 2011 fashion shows (it's just walking art, people), I have sifted through the outrageous and the silly and chosen something I would like to wear next spring.

Is it this one, by Marchesa?



Or maybe this, #2, by Monique Lhullier:


Perhaps this one, #3, by Donna Karan:


Or this ensemble, by Karen Walker:



CLUE: It isn't the top or the bottom one. Are you kidding me? 

TOP: Your worst enemy asked you to be her Maid of Honor.
You said NO.

TWO: Wear it to your son-in-law's
PhD commencement ceremony in May, YES.

THREE: A beee-utiful garden party on the Amalfi Coast,
on a terrace overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea? YES!

BOTTOM: Um. Didn't I make that in eighth grade Home Economics sewing class? NO.



And here is what some people have thought of fashion:

“Fashion is a form of ugliness so intolerable that we have to alter it every six months.” ~ Oscar Wilde

“On matters of style, swim with the current, on matters of principle, stand like a rock.” 
~ Thomas Jefferson
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“Every generation laughs at the old fashions, but follows religiously the new.”
~ Henry David Thoreau


“Fashion is only the attempt to realize art in living forms and social intercourse.” 
~ Francis Bacon, Sr.
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“Fashion condemns us to many follies; the greatest is to make ourselves its slave” ~ Napoleon Bonaparte

“Above all, remember that the most important thing you can take anywhere is not a Gucci bag or French-cut jeans; it's an open mind.”
~ Gail Ruben Bereny

“To live content with small means; to seek elegance rather than luxury, and refinement rather than fashion; to be worthy, not respectable, and wealthy, not, rich; to listen to stars and birds, babes and sages, with open heart; to study hard; to think quietly, act frankly, talk gently, await occasions, hurry never; in a word, to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious, grow up through the common - this is my symphony."
~ William Ellery Channing


Fashion quotes found here.


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55 comments:

Claudia said...

I'm somewhere between Oscar Wilde and William Ellery Channing on this one...

I wonder if the top gown comes with the ankle tattoes.

Ruth said...

I wondered the same, Claudia. :)

Susan said...

That second outfit is bee-yutiful! I would wear that, yessiree. I really like the last one, too...tailored, yet flamboyant. I love that splash of orange, but the pants are a wee bit short. Reminds me of trying to find pants long enough when I was in high school. Those were NOT the days.

Ruth said...

Susie, I'm glad you like that second one too, I guess it isn't hard to like. And oh, you like that last one? It does have the complementary colors going for it. :) Yes, the short pants these days take some getting used to, don't they?

cathyswatercolors said...

Sadly my back to school fashion has to be layered ready to peel off when the temps soar into the
90's in the classroom. Yes even though one would think the generous single window would provide ample ventilation it's just not enough when you place 37-40 students in a class. Education is really taking a sad turn into an abyss. More legislation by our fine politicians,who have never set foot in a classroom, promises our certain arrival into it. Special ed. students are even more at risk. Parents need to let their
feelings be known. on and on:(

Maybe i should just wear black.

Lorenzo — Alchemist's Pillow said...

Taking mercy on us, you have posted something without time-stopping epiphanies and heart-rending synchronicities. Just plain fun, and good quotes. Didn't know you had it in you. Who would have ever thunk it?

If you want to scold me for poking a wee bit of fun, we can meet on the Amalfi coast. Bring the Donna Karan thingee ...

Ruth said...

Oh dear, dear Cathy, so many students. How is it possible? I know that September can be miserably hot in school rooms that just weren't built for ventilation. I hope you not only survive this trying time, but thrive and impart your beautiful self to those students, without you being depleted, but rather filled up. Times are tougher, and I'm afraid they will keep getting more so. But I believe we humans will show our true colors more while that's happening, controlling what we can control. It's our chance to turn into wine, while being pressed. I wish you all the best in these days. xoxo

Bonnie Zieman, M.Ed. said...

I've always been partial to Donna Karan. Would it be all right if I wear that little frock at the garden party too? Mais oui - sans sous-vetements. C'est obligatoire.

The Channing quote is replete with wisdom and Bereny's suggestion of an open mind being the most becoming garment is one to bare in mind!

Great fun, Ruth!

Ruth said...

I deserve that, Lorenzo. I even torture myself sometimes, so much gravitas. I mean everyone needs a little comic relief sprinkled around the room.

But if my penance is the Amalfi coast, with you and Donna, I'll keep right on doing what I can to bring that on.

Ruth said...

Bonnie, yes, me too. Like Armani and Louis Vuitton, they manage to create new collections that retain beautiful, classic style, that are fresh and new. Mais bien sûr, des sous-vêtements. :)

I do love both of those quotes, so happy I discovered them while creating this post for fun.

Lorenzo — Alchemist's Pillow said...

I wouldn't say "so much gravitas", just the opposite: your recent posts have been so uplifting and inspiring, they seem to beg for a calm floating back to earth before the next poetic flight.

Ruth said...

Thanks, Lorenzo. That makes sense, and it is heartening that you have found any inspiration here. I'll adjust the word: I guess we could call it intensity, of one height or another. :)

Oh said...

Yay! I loved this - am a sucker for fashion although you would never ever know it. And so I would have chosen, out of these - get ready.... the top and the bottom one! The top one for being beautifully absurd; the bottom for something I might wear (except for the price) to work (where it is primarily engineers) but I like the colors in this whopperjawed jacket and pant ensemble.


I will follow the link you've included...and I'm still working my way through the September VOGUE and have a blog entry nearly ready on it - all of this to say - what fun! Fashion is such fantasy which in fact supercedes actual wearability (in so many cases.)

It's chilly here this morning - time to switch wardrobe gears?

George said...

Thanks, first, to Lorenzo, for blazing the way and making it permissible for a man to comment on matters of women's fashion. By the same token, Lorenzo, has preempted my gambit. If nothing more, perhaps I could join the three of you, including Donna, for drinks and dinner on the Amalfi coast.

Nos. 2 and 3 are definitely the right choices for you, Ruth, and it looks like the guys — that would be Lorenzo and me thus far — seem to have a decided preference for Donna.

*jean* said...

o monique l. has a shop in edina, MN, will you be heading this way? we could have lunch!

Ruth said...

Miss Oh, this is why I love blogging, and you. Just like that, you turned me around about top and bottom. First, I can see top as a piece of art -- maybe not wearable art in any real world sense (could anyone dance with me in that?), but in a flower sort of way, it is beautiful. Bottom: By using the word whopperjawed -- whether you just coined it or it is already in the fashion glossry -- I have grown to love anything hencewith referred to by that name. [I bow.]

I too, am working through the September Vogue, but much more slowly than I expected to. Something in me wants to savor it at a snail's pace. I guess I could never be a runway model, for I walk much too slowly.

As for the changing season, as much as I adore September (favorite month, I think), I don't seem to know what to wear. It's cool in the night and morning, but it warms up in the afternoon. Socks today? Not sure!

Ruth said...

George, this gets betterer and betterer. Already in just a dozen or so comments, I have two dear, masculine friends, commenting on my fashion post. I could make several theoretical attempts to understand it. They would all have something to do with Lorenzo and you being men who are: confident in who you are, playful, treat women with respect, appreciation and admiration, and who maybe have just enough feminine sensibilities in yourselves (in the best most manly way!) to appreciate good design in clothes . . . well and in all visuals, but maybe that is not a feminine trait, not sure.

Secondly, it gets betterer to envision circling the terrace with you as another dance partner! Ahhh, life is grand.

Ruth said...

Jean! I had never heard of Monique L. until I browsed the fashion show photos. I think her pieces impressed me the most, along with DK, I don't know if I could pick between them. So feminine, appealing and wearable. I'm on my way . . .

Ruth said...

Lorenzo and George, I daresay if the two of you would take a turn together on the terrace, Donna and I would watch you and the sea enraptured!

George said...

One thing that I forgot to mention — distracted, no doubt, by the Donna — is that I absolutely love that William Ellery Channing quote. It deserves to the read and thought about over and over again.

Ruth said...

So-rarely-distracted-George, I am pleased you agree about this quote of Channing's. I wonder if it is the senior Channing, the Unitarian minister, or his nephew the poet. Do you know?

I think I'll add it to my sidebar . . .

George said...

Having just noticed that other comment by you, I must say, with all due respect, that it would be most inappropriate for you and Donna to simply be observers in Amalfi. If there is going to be dancing on the terrace, you and Donna will most assuredly be a part of it. I'm quite sure that Lorenzo would agree with me on this, though we would be otherwise properly deferential, in keeping with our well-deserved reputations.

I do not know whether the Channing is the minister or the poet. He could be either, I suppose, for there is often ministry in could poetry and poetry in good ministry.

George said...

Correction: That should be "good poetry."

Ruth said...

George, I didn't know when I chose this DK dress and suggested Amalfi that I would have such good companion prospects (but a girl can hope, and wish). I have enjoyed the day, imagining these things. I will take my cozy visions into my dreams tonight, where dresses are free and terraces are moon- and starlit. Ahhhhh.

Oh, and I suppose I should mention all this to my husband? Do you think we could handle a fourth, fifth if you count Donna?

George said...

Absolutely, Ruth. Don will definitely want to the there, especially is Donna comes along. He should be advised, however, that he will be expected to join in the dancing on the terrace. Amalfi is close enough to Greece that group dancing is encouraged, rather than frowned upon.

This has been fun. Thanks for your sense of humor. Have a good weekend.

Char said...

hahahaha, i think the 2nd outfit is the only one i could consider. wow

and it reminds me why i love project runway so i can laugh

Margaret said...

I guess my sweatpants and t-shirt should have been taken off after I exercised and not worn the entire day... Thanks for the laugh and great quotes! Well done.

Dutchbaby said...

I adore this post!

The first one looks like a gift box popped open with the volume of tissues being flung about the room. Very fun for a unique grand entrance.

#3 is sensational, ooh-la-la! Since it's Donna Karan, you know it will be comfortable!

I love the bold, fresh color scheme of the bottom one. I even like the shorter pant leg, showing off some ankle, though it would only work with heels and/or platforms. However, if I looked at myself in that outfit in the dressing room, I would ask the sales lady to please bring me a size double zero because this single zero is entirely too baggy for my bony body.

GailO said...

The second outfit is the only one that looks comfortable to me...and that is my fashion "must":)...and it is gorgeous to boot. Viewing a fashion show is like going to a museum...

Amalfi...just the word makes me smile...

Ruth said...

Thanks, George. It takes a great deal of humor for me to actually relax while dancing, since I didn't grow up doing it in our Baptist circles. In my fantasies I dance like Cyd Charisse, and I think this video clip from the movie "Silk Stockings" about sums up our group dance in Amalfi, just envision it a little less Russian, and out on the terrace! All the commenters on this post could join us!

Ruth said...

Char . . . . :D

Ruth said...

Ha, Margaret, sounds comfy! My home uniform is flannel jammies now that it's cool, and the way I enjoy fashion the most is leafing through Vogue or In Style. Much more comfortable than walking in some of those shoes!

Ruth said...

Dutchbaby, leave it to you, a floral designer, to think of tissue paper!

I have a few of those shorter pants, but I refuse to wear the platforms or spikes. I pretend I look like Audrey Hepburn in flats. :) I just ordered a pair of slim black Ellen Tracy ones, cropped above the ankle, that I've been looking for . . . and found through ruelala CHEAP! Now I just hope they fit . . .

So, if I come out there, we could go food shopping and take in a fashion show? Well in San Francisco there's no end to things to do. Wine tasting up the coast . . .

Ruth said...

Oliag, I get such a kick out of the outlandish visions some designers have for their shows. I remember one year, someone did a forest nymph theme, and all the models had false eyelashes that were about three inches long. It was kind of cool actually. :D

I don't think Amalfi can be said without smiling, Amalfiiii . . . (teeth bared)

Sidney said...

I go for William Ellery Channing.

But I need to say all four dresses are very nice...as are the girls ! :-)

Ruth said...

Sidney, said like a true man in balance. :)

JeffScape said...

I was gonna say... I rather like 2 and 3, but I didn't realize we were being quizzed!

Hah!

Ruth said...

Jeff, it doesn't matter if you knew you were being quizzed, since you gave the right answers! All the better, in fact. You might have gotten nervous, and then picked #1 or #4, and then where would we be?

Dutchbaby said...

Of course, yes, flats a la Audrey would completely work.

Please do come out here; I would love it! The possibilities are endless here. Food, wine, great weather. As for fashion, my personal opinion is that people on the east coast generally dress better than out here. I hope I don't start a riot by saying that.

Ruth said...

Dutchbaby, I wanna, I wanna. I could even zip up to Ashland and stomp around the mountains up there.

As for fashion, I have to agree with you, if Northern Cal is like Southern Cal. It was pretty casual when we lived there.

I feel like planning a virtual trip to you, since I won't be heading west any time soon. We could create a Sim game. Fun, no?

Marcie said...

The pix made me laugh. Can't see myself in any of these - really. Not even an occasion to entertain anything even remotely close. And - I love the quotes. Such a wonderful light-hearted look at the irony of fashion!

Babs-beetle said...

I just knew it would be 2 & 3 for you :) I'm afraid I really dislike the outfit in the bottom photo. A fashion designer put this together? What is it with colour combination now days?

rauf said...

Sometimes Oscar Wilde talks rubbish

Yes fashion has to change like a woman's mind. Not much of change for men though. It remains the same for ages. And i find it very boring.
What i don't like is the price tag. You are slim and every fashion would suit you Ruth, victorian or modern.

i think men read (or see pictures like me) fashion magazines more than women. i have lots of them. i want to know what the modern lady is wearing. You don't see them on the streets though. Aunt Dahlia has a magazine called 'Milady's Boudoir' in which Wooster occasionally writes about what the modern men are wearing. You'll find this in Wodehouse's Jeeves and Wooster.

Every Woman is a fashion creator, not every man Ruth. Men like to follow and don't dare to be different, but women are daring and like to create and be different.

* said...

Love the first dress to pieces. Fashion is one of my guilty pleasures. Great fashion quotes, as well!!

Ginnie Hart said...

I always wonder if those models are constantly saying "If we can't take a joke!" But then, they get paid pretty well for all the jokes, so they're the ones laughing all the way to the bank. :)

You know me, sister...not one for fashion, though I do have a sense for something that looks 'smart.' I go more for the tailored and classic look than the fads. However, I do remember buying into the Nehru-shirt look back in high school. That was cool.

Leave it to you to come up with a post on fashion. You always have a sense of style in the way I like, so just carry on. :)

Ruth said...

Marcie, you sound sensible. And the thing is, most of what I know about you is your photography. With an eye and talent like yours, you can ignore clothes fashion, be comfortable (I'm sure you look smart out in the wilderness), and mesmerize me with the most glorious photos of nature and humanity.

Ruth said...

Babs, you're good. :) And while I know a few others here have liked the bottom ensemble, and I don't wanna make them feel bad, I can only laugh at that bottom one. I can see some of their points, that the colors are nice. But I would never wear an outfit in those colors, or in those ill fitting trousers, or ill fitting jacket.

Ruth said...

rauf, sometimes I envy men their fashion, and sometimes I'm glad ours changes. I think men's trousers and shirts are very fine, and I don't get tired of them. I even like wearing them. But I love to see the new lines every fall and spring that the designer create. They are colorful galleries of art, and some of them are very wearable. Of course the knock-offs are being designed as we speak, and they will be out there in cheaper ways.

That show sounds funny, just the name "Milady's Boudoir" is funny.

You know that one of the fashions I love most in the world is the sari. It is elegant, feminine, practical, and gorgeous. I would like a wardrobe of nothing but saris.

Ruth said...

Terresa, you do? OK, I'll allow it. You would look dazzling in it!

Ruth said...

Boots, you always, always look smart. You are very careful about what you wear, you are slim without an ounce of fat, you look great in clothes, and even when you were a U of M t-shirt I think you look fetching! :)

You know me well. I have to put at least one fashion post up a year.

Ruth said...

Hahaha, that would be wear, not were, but maybe you were a U of M t-shirt at certain points in time . . . hahahaha. But I love that you watched MSU-Notre Dame football, in the Netherlands! :D

Jeanie said...

Couldn't agree more with your choices and comments!

Pat said...

Some of the outfits that come out of Fashion Week are just preposterous!

Speaking of preposterous, did you happen to see the "meat" dress that Lady Gaga wore to the Video Awards? She had a sirloin on her head! Who knew that when I had nothing to wear, I could just go into my fridge and grab a couple of pork chops, stick them to my ta-ta's, and call it a day?

Ruth said...

Jeanie, we have such good taste.

Ruth said...

Pat, I did not see the meat dress, until your blog post after this ! I have to go read it now, after seeing it on Google Reader.

REALLY?? She is something else. But I do like her music, at least the little bit I've heard.