Onions have layers

I've never been good at layering clothing.  I usually end up looking like a complete hobo or just plain frumpy.  I'm kind of loving this outfit though, and I have several other dresses like this, so I think you may expect to find me in some iteration of this for a while.  I'm having serious 18th century dress envy lately and while this outfit is definitely modern, some of the elements are there.

Image via The Dreamstress

One thing that appeals to me about vintage styles, or sewing historical clothing, or basic textile history, is the detailing that was a part of almost any garment sewn prior to the mid-1960s.  The fashion revolution of the late 1960s, for all its funky fabric patterns and daring skirt lengths, tended to be a bit short on detailing and relied on the fabric itself for visual interest and appeal.  

Earlier eras had incredible hand embroidery on garments that were never seen in public, such as shifts and stays, to say nothing of the fine work that went into the outer garments.

Hand-embroidered 18th century pocket, worn under the outer skirt but over the petticoat/corset layers.  Image via.

When you compare, say, a basic 1930s day dress pattern to that of your basic 1960s shift, the contrast is pretty stark.  As clothing manufacturers have increasingly turned to fast fashion this last decade, and cutting costs across the board, detailing, fabric, and construction have largely gone by the wayside (except in the extreme high end of the market, which, frankly, is not where most of us live or shop).  

Via 

It is true that the flow of our modern lives is very different, not lending itself easily to quiet small work in the daily rhythm of things, and our ideas about the clothing needs of the human form have changed substantially.  I'm not suggesting that we should all run out and lace up our stays and garter our stockings.  Elastic and Lycra are a beautiful thing, in my opinion!

Image Via

Lately, I find myself interested in the details of garment construction, embroidery, the whole lot.  I'm fascinated by clothing from the medieval period on down.  I think the intersection between clothing and technology such as central heating and plumbing is very interesting.  I don't think it is a coincidence that fur fell out of favor about the time that indoor climate control became wide-spread.  Or that women began to wear trousers just as indoor plumbing became common.  Even the basic rhythms of a woman's life, so easily reflected in the garments of an earlier age, are mostly absent in the clothing of our modern era. I'm also fascinated by how the wide-spread dissemination of home sewing machines changed some of the basic priorities of garment construction, such as hidden darts, invisible seam finishes and the like. 

Image via

 Until fairly recently, clothing was a major commodity, not only something with which to cover your body, but a subtle way of announcing your place and position to the casual observer.  Historically, sumptuary laws dictated fabrics and colors and finishes reserved for the upper classes, which in turn reinforced the societal structure and common morality.  With the breakdown of hierarchical society, the rise of consumer and discount culture, and the (entirely predictable) transition to more or less disposable clothing, much of this knowledge is greatly diminished.  I'm not entirely certain that it is to our benefit. 

Having said that, I know this whole outfit is short on that kind of detailing.  It is a basic knit dress (albeit with some interesting waist features), a basic knit shirt, a scarf with some subtle embroidery on each end, knit mitts with modest detailing, and minimal jewelry.  But the lines are good, the fit flattering, and the care easy.

I've been wearing something like this for several days now, as I'm down for the count with another major chest infection plus the added bonus of an ear infection, and the various layers have been good for keeping my body temperate, as my internal temperature has swung around a lot.  

The only thing that would make it perfect would be a knitted cowl instead of the scarf, but as I just cast one on yesterday, it wasn't to hand for today.  Soon enough.  Knitting is about all I have energy and focus for anyway.  

soon-to-be cowl.

That's all for me for today.  I'm going to find a warm blanket to curl up under as soon as Ponchik goes down for her nap.

Details:
Eshatki navy blue knit dress
Green Old Navy knit shirt via thredup
knit mitts: Biggo in golden heather from Knit Picks
Scarf: had for donkey's ages
Earrings and Necklace: etsy
Boots: LLBean
Dried snot on the front my dress: courtesy of Ponchik